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POLICY IN THE FAR EAST—NOVEMBER 30, 1908
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415
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independence and integrity of China and the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry of all nations in that Empire.
5. Should any event occur threatening the status quo as above described or the principle of equal opportunity 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 it useful to take.
If the foregoing outline accords with the view of the Government of the United States, I shall be gratified to receive your confirmation.
I take this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my highest consideration.
Honorable Elihu Root,
Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador
Excellency:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of to-day setting forth the result of the exchange of views between us in our recent interviews defining the understanding of the two Governments in regard to their policy in the region of the Pacific Ocean.
It is a pleasure to inform you that this expression of mutual understanding is welcome to the Government of the United States as appropriate to the happy relations of the two countries and as the occasion for a concise mutual affirmation of that accordant policy respecting the Far East which the two Governments have so frequently declared in the past.
I am happy to be able to confirm to Your Excellency, on behalf of the United States, the declaration of the two Governments embodied in the following words:
[For text of declaration, see numbered paragraphs in Japanese note, above.]
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration.
His Excellency
Baron Kogoro Takahira,
Japanese Ambassador.
