The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-12-09
TEXT OF DECLARATION.
State Department Gives Out Ameri-
can-Japaneso NOtes-A Mutual
Understanding"

Washington, Dec. 1.-The notes ex-
changed between the United States
and Japan, declaring their policy in
the Far East which have been the
subject of correspondence between
Secretary Of State Root and Ambassa-
dor Takahira for some months, were
made public at the state department
tonight. Accompanying the declara-
ton are two letters. one from Mr.
Takahira and one from Mr.. Root, the
former expressing the belief that a
frank avowal of the aim, policy and
intention of the countries holding i'm
portant outlying possessions in the re-
gion Of the Pacific ocean would not
only tend to strengthen the relations
Of friendship and good neighborhood
between the two nations but would
materially contribute to the preserva-
ton Of the general peace. and the lat
tar declaring that this expression Of
mutual understanding is welcome to
the government OF the United States
Each letter. in which is included
the declaration, Is dated November 80,
the day on which the exchange took
place. The purport Of the five separ-
ate notes was fully set forth in the
Associated Press dispatches Of Novem-
Der 81 from Washington.
The Declaration.
In explicit terms they are as fol-
lows:
1. 1t is the wish Of the two govern
ments to encourage the free and
peaceful development of their COM
merce on the Pacific ocean.
2. The policy of both governments.
uniniuenced by any aggressive ten
dencies, is directed to the maintain
ance Of the existing status quo in the
region above mentioned and to the de-
Tense of the principle Of equal oppor-
tunity for commerce and industry in
China.
3. They are accordingly firmly re-
solved reciprocally to respect the ter
ritorial possessions belonging to each
other in said region.
4. They are also determined to pre-
serve the common interests Of all pow
ers in China by supporting by all
pacific means at their disposal the
independence and integrity of China
and the principle Of equal opportunity
for commerce and industry Of all ma
tions in that empire.
s. Should any event occur threat
ening the status quo as above describ-
ed or the principle Of equal opportuni-
ty as above defined, it remains for the
two governments to communicate
with each other in order to arrive at
an understanding as to what measures
they may consider 1t useful to take.
Reaflrmation of Friendship.
Ambassador Takahira in statement
issued today declared they were simp-
ly a reaffirmation Of what was declar-
ed by the two governments years ago.
1t was something like a transaction
between trusted friends" The ambas-
sador pointed out that the notes are
not treaty or agreement. Japan"
he said. has entire confidence in the
great moral strength of the United
States government and the latter fully
trusts in the strong good faith of the
Japanese government, as has been
amply proved by past experiences. 1t
Is sincerely to be hoped that the peo-
pie Of each country will have the same
confidence as their own government
in respect to the declaration of the
other and in doing so there will he
everything to gain and nothing to lose
and friendly intercourse and CONNER
cial relations will be fully developed"
The substance of the declaration
furnished in advance of it's singing
to the various governments interested
In Chinese affairs and cordial respon-
ses OF sympathy and support came
from them.
GOVERNMENTS POSTAGE COST