Office of the Historian

Mr. Takahira to Mr. Adee.

Legation of Japan,
Washington, August 30, 1904.
No. 72.]

Sir: Under instructions from His Imperial Majesty’s minister for foreign affairs, I have the honor to transmit herewith an agreement concluded at Seoul between the minister of Japan, representing the Imperial Government, and their excellencies, the minister for foreign affairs and the minister of finance of Korea, representing the Government of Korea. The first two articles of the agreement were concluded and signed on the 19th instant and the third article on the 22d instant.

In communicating this agreement to the Government of the United States I am instructed to say that it is nothing more than the natural consequence or development of the protocol concluded between the Japanese and Korean Governments on the 23d of last February, which I had the honor to communicate at that time for the information of the Government of the United States. I am further directed to say that the agreement does not in anywise interfere with the full operation [Page 439] or validity of Korea’s existing treaties; and that Article III thereof is not intended to place any impediment in the way of legitimate enterprise in Korea, but merely to check, as far as possible, the future conclusion of unwise and improvident engagements, which in the past have been fruitful sources of trouble and complication.

Accept, etc.,

K. Takahira.
[Inclosure.]

Agreement between Japan and Korea, concluded at Seoul on the 19th of August, 1904 (articles 1 and 2), and the 22d of August, 1904, (article 3).

Article I.

The Korean Government shall engage a Japanese subject recommended by the Japanese Government as financial adviser to the Korean Government, and all matters concerning finance shall be dealt with after his counsel shall have been taken.

Article II.

The Korean Government shall engage a foreigner recommended by the Japanese Government as diplomatic adviser to the foreign office, and all important matters concerning foreign relations shall be dealt with after his counsel shall have been taken.

Article III.

The Korean Government shall consult the Japanese Government before concluding treaties and conventions with foreign powers, and also in dealing with other important diplomatic affairs, such as grants of concessions to or contracts with foreigners.