Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-02

| treaty or agreement. Iney are SIMPLY
! a re-affirmation of what was declared
| by the two governments years ago, or
a definition of the understanding al
| ready existing. 1t Is, however, to be
noted that the notes which are eA-
changed between governments of such
great moral standing as those of the
| United States and Japan will have
great Importance in the carrying out
| of their common policy. Japan has en-
| tire confidence in the great moral
| strength of the United States govern
| ment, as has been amply proved by
past experience. In this respect 1t is
| something like a transaction between
| trusted friends and it is sincerely to
| be hoped that the people of each coun-
! try will have the same confidence as
| their own government in respect to the
declaration of the other and in doing
| so there will be everything to gain and
| nothing to lose and friendly inter-
course and commercial relations will
| be fully developed
The substance of the declaration
| was furnished in advance of its sign
| ing to the various governments inter
| ested in Chinese affairs and cordial
| responses of sympathy and support
came from them.
Some changes We're made in the draft
of the letters passing between Mr.,
Root and Mr. Takahira as originally
| written copies Of which had been
sent to Europe. Ambassador Taxa
| hira's letters as finally drafted was as
| follows:
"Sir-The exchange of views between
| US, which has taken place at the sew
eral interviews which 1 have recently
| had the honor of holding with you, has
shown that Japan and the United
States. holding important outlying in
| sular possessions in the region Of the
| Pacific ocean, the governments of the
| two countries are animated by a COM
mon aim, policy and intention in that
| region.
"Bolieving that a frank avowal of
| that aim, policy and intention would
| nto only tend to strengthen the rela-
| tons OF friendship and good neighbor-
| hood which have immemorably existed
between Japan and the United States,
| but would materially contribute to the
| preservation of the general peace. the
| imperial government has authorized
| ne to present to YOU an outline of their
! understanding of that common aim.
policy and intention. CHere follows the
| five articles of declaration.)
| 'If the foregoing outline accord
| with the view of the government OF
the United States 1 shall be gratiffed
ITO receive your confirmation.
IT take this opportunity to renew TO
Your Exccllency the assurance of my
highest consideration.
| (Signed) * TAKAHIRA."
Honorable Elihu Root. Secretary of
of State.'
The changes in Secretary Roots let
| ter are unimportant
| London. Dec. 1.-The Associated
Press today secured a copy of the
| agreement between the United States
and Japan concerning the maintenance
OF the status quo in the Pacific and
| the observance of the integrity of the
Chinese empire. 1t consists of an eX-
change of notes between Secretary
Root and Baron Takahira. the Japan
csc ambassador to the United States.
The notes are nearly identical. That of
Baron Takahra is dated Nov II and
says:
1.-The exchange of views between us
| which has taken place during the sew
eral interviews l have recently had
the honor of holding with you. has
shown that Japan and the United
States are holding important outlying
consular possessions in one region of
the Pacific ocean and that the govern
ments of the two countries are ami
mated by a common aim policy and in
tention in that region.
Believing that a frank avowal of
that aim, policy and intention would
not only tend to strengthen the rela-
tons of friendship and neighborliness.
| which have existed between Japan and
the United States, but also materially
contribute to the preservation of a
general peace, the imperial government
has authorized me to present you an
outline of it's understanding of that
common aim, policy and intention"
Then follow the five articles of the
covenant as made public Nov. 81 from
Washington. The Japanese ambassador
writes in conclusion:
eff the foregoing outline accords
with the view of the government of the
United States 1 shall be gratified to
receive your confirmation.
| (SigneD o.. ''TAKAHIRA."
Secretary Root in his note says:
Your EXcellency: I have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt Of your
note of today setting forth the result
of the exchange Of views between US
in your recent interviews defining the
understanding of our two governments
in regard to their policy in the region
of the Pacific ocean.
| ut IS a pleasure to inform you that
This expression of mutual under
standing is welcome to the government
of the United States as appropriate to
the happy relations of the two coun-
tries and as an occasion for concise,
mutual affirmation of that accordant
policy respecting the Far East which
the two governments have so frequent
ly declared in the past.
Il am happy to be able to confirm
to your excellency on behalf of the
United States the declaration of the
two governments embodies in the fol-
lowing words:
Secretary Root then inserts in the
Il