Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-02
NATIONS NOTES
BECOME PUBLIC
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPOND
ENCE Is REVEALED
LETTERS OF TAkAHlRA AND
ROOT OUTLINE POLICIES
Five Separate Epistles Set Forth OBJ
ject of Japan and United States
and Japan to Maintain
Status Quo


IBy Associated Pressl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The notes
exchanged between the United States
and japan declaring their policy in
the far east" which have been the
subject of correspondence between sec
rotary Root and Ambassador Takahlra
for some months, were made publ1c
at the state department tonight.
Accompanying the declaration are
two letters, one from Mr.. Iakahlrd
and one from Mr.. Root, the former
expressing the belief that frank
avowal of the aims, policy and inten-
ton of the two countries in the Paelnc
would not only tend to strengthen the
relations of friendship and good neigh
borhood between the two nations, put
would contribute materially TO the
preservation of the general peace, ana
the latter declaring that this express
sion of mutual understanding is Wei
come to the government of the Onltei
States
zach letter. in which is included the
declaration, is dated November 81, the
day on which the exchanges took pldce;
The text of these letters was contained
in the Associated Press dispatches
from London today.
The purport of the five separate notes
was set forth fully in the Associated
Press dispatches of November u from
Washington.
The Five Letters
In explicit terms they are as follows;
"First-It is the wish of the two gov
ernments to encourage the free anu
peaceful development of their COM
merce on the Pacific ocean.
"Second-The policy of both govern
ments, uninhpenced by any aggressive
tendencies, is directed to the MAMIE
nance of the existing status quo in the
region above mentioned and to the
defense of the principle of equal OPP
portunity for commerce and industry
in China.
"3. They are accordingly firmly re-
solved reciprocally to respect the TER
ritorial possessions belonging 10 edch
other in said region.
"A. They are also determined to pre-
serve the common interests OF al
powers in China by supporting by al
pacific means at their disposal the IN
dependence and integrity of China ana
the principle of equal opportunity lot
commerce and industry OF all hatlohS
in that empire.
IS. Should any event occur threaten
ing the status quo as above designed
or the principle of equal opportunity as
above defined it remains for the TWO
governments TO nASA @t'~AN
other in order to arrive at an under-
standing as to what measures they
may consider it useful to take.
Takahira's Statement
Ambassador Takahira, in a statement
issued subsequent to the making pub
lie of the notes, declared by the Two
governments years ago. 1t was some
thing like a transaction between trusted
friends.
The ambassador added:
1.-THE substance of the instrument
which has already found it's way to
the press called for exhaustive express
sions of opinions in this and otner
countries, and there remains hardly
ANYTHING to be added. As Will be seen
in their wording, the notes are Simply
in the form of a declaration ana are
not a treaty or agreement. They are
simply a reaffirmation of what was de-
cIared by the two governments years
ago, or a definition of the understand
ing then existing. 1t is, however, to be
noted that the notes which are eX-
changed between governments OF sucn
moral standing as those of the United
States and Japan will have great I'M
portance in the carrying out OF theH
common policy.
Japan has entire confidence in the
great moral strength of the United
States government and the latter fully
trusts in the strong good faith in the
japanese government, as has been
amply proved by past experience. In
this respect it is something like a
transaction between trusted friends =
Several Changes Made
The substance of the declaration was
furnished in advance of its signing TO
the various governments interested IN
Chinese affairs and cordial responses
of sympathy and support came from
them.
Some changes were 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 Takahira' 5
letter as finally drafted was as follows:
"Slr: The exchange of views be-
tween US which has taken place at
the several interviews which / have
recently had the honor of holding with
YOU, has shown that, Japan and the
United States holding important outly-
ing insular possessions in the region of
the Pacific ocean, the governments of
the two countries are animated by a
common aim, policy and intention in
that region.
believing that a frank avowal of
that aim, policy and intention would
not only tend TO strengthen the rela-
lions of friendship and good neighbor-
hood which have immemorially existed
but would materially contribute to the
preservation of the general peace, the
imperial government has authorized
me to present to you an outline of their
understanding Of that common aim,
policy and intention.
(Iere follow the five articles of the
declaration.)
IF the foregoing outline accords with
the view of the government of the
United States L shall be gratitied to
receixs your confirmation.
AZ take this opportunity4o renew to
your excellency the assurance of my
highest consideration.
"(Sgned) K. TAKAHlRA.
Zion. Elihu Root, secretary of
state"
The changes in Secretary Roots let
ter are unimportant.
Fruit Growers Convene