[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 71
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C.O
[November 3.]
61261
SECTION 2.
REC
[212689]
NOR 14 DEC17
Memorandum communicated by Japanese Ambassador, November 3, 1917.
IT is an undeniable fact that Germany has in the past been at pains to create discord between Japan and America, and circumstances are not lacking showing that the political situation in China has also been exploited for this purpose. The matter was made the subject of discussion in the conferences recently held between the Special Ambassador of Japan and the American Secretary of State, and as the result of the exchange of their views, the Governments of Japan and the United States have come to the decision to publish the accompanying notes, deeming as they do that the public announcement at this juncture as to the existence of complete harmony of views between the two countries in regard to their position and policy in China would carry a long way in defeating the German machination. It is further believed that such an announcement would not only serve the interests of both countries and China equally, but would prove at the same time to be an additional demonstration of the resolute solidarity of the Allies.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Exchange of Notes.
(1.)
Excellency,
Note from Mr. Lansing to Viscount Ishii.
Washington, November 2, 1917. I HAVE the honour to communicate herein my understanding of the agreement reached by us in our recent conversations touching the questions of mutual interest to our Governments relating to the Republic of China.
In order to silence mischievous reports that have from time to time been circulated, it is believed by us that a public announcement once more of the desires and intentions shared by our two Governments with regard to China is advisable.
The Governments of the United States and Japan recognise that territorial propinquity creates special relations between countries, and consequently the Govern- ment of the United States recognises that Japan has special interests in China, particularly in that part to which her possessions are contiguous.
The territorial sovereignty of China nevertheless remains unimpaired, and the Government of the United States has every confidence in the repeated assurances of the Imperial Japanese Government that, while geographical position gives Japan such special interests, they have no desire to discriminate against the trade of other nations or to disregard the commercial rights heretofore grauted by China in the treaties with other Powers.
The Governments of the United States and Japan deny that they have any purpose to infringe in any way the independence or territorial integrity of China, and they declare furthermore that they always adhere to the principle of the so-called " open door" or equal opportunity of commerce and industry in China.
Moreover, they mutually declare that they are opposed to the acquisition by any Government of any special rights or privileges that would affect the independence or territorial integrity of China, or that would deny to the subjects or citizens of any country the full enjoyment of equal opportunity in the commerce and industry of China.
I shall be glad to have your Excellency confirm this understanding of the agreement reached by us.
Accept, Excellency, &c.
LANSING,
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