Mr. Neill to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Lima,
Peru, October 29,
1904.
No. 1005.]Sir: Regarding the desire contained in
Department’s instruction of September 23 last to obtain and forward
without delay copies of the neutrality proclamations issued by the
Government of Peru during the war between Russia and Japan, I have the
honor to inform you that I was able to obtain copies of a note from the
legation of Japan, in Mexico, of February 11, 1904, advising this
Government of the declaration by Japan of the war against Russia, and
asking that measures be taken by Peru for the maintenance of its
neutrality.
Also the reply given by the Peruvian foreign office to the said note,
wherein the minister for foreign relations, at that time Doctor Elmore,
assured the legation of Japan that Peru would maintain the strictest
neutraliiy, for which purpose the necessary measures had been taken.
These are the only two documents having relation to the matter, existing
in the Peruvian foreign office, of which I inclose copies and
translation.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Mr. Soughimoura
to Doctor Pardo.
Legation of Japan,
Mexico, February 11,
1904.
Mr. Minister: In accordance with
instructions from my Government, I have the honor to inform your
excellency that on the first of the present month His Majesty the
Emperor, my august Sovereign, issued a decree declaring war against
Russia, and at the same time to express to you that the Government
of His Imperial Majesty does not doubt that Peru will maintain
strict neutrality, and hopes that the necessary measures will be,
taken to make the same effective.
I take this opportunity, etc.,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Mr. Elmore to
Mr. Soughimoura.
Peruvian Foreign Office,
Lima, May 20,
1904.
Mr. Minister: I have had the honor of
receiving the esteemed note of your excellency of the 11th of
February last, in which you are pleased to inform me, in compliance
with the instructions of your Government, that on the first of
February of the present year His Majesty the Emperor of Japan had
issued a decree declaring war against Russia.
Your excellency expresses to me, at the same time, that the
Government of His Imperial Majesty has no doubt that Peru will
maintain strict neutrality, for which purpose he trusts that the
necessary measures will be taken.
In reply I must inform your excellency that my Government sincerely
deplores the fact of war being declared, but it once having
commenced it will maintain, in compliance with its duty, the
strictest neutrality.
I take, etc.,
