Chargé Wilson to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Tokyo, November 30,
1905.
No. 346.]Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your telegraphic instructions received the 25th instant.
On the same day I dispatched a note to the minister for foreign affairs
informing him of my instructions in the above sense and stating that
accordingly I should thenceforth have the honor of addressing him in
regard to American diplomatic interests in Korea.
The reply of Count Katsura expresses the profound satisfaction of the
Japanese Government at the prompt withdrawal of the legation of the
United States from Seoul.
I have the honor to inclose herewith copies of the above-mentioned
notes.
Your action in immediately suppressing the legation at Seoul and
initiating the conduct of diplomatic relations vis-a-vis Korea through
the medium of Japan is much appreciated here. It is received as a
welcome expression of America’s willing acquiescence in the order of
things determined by the new Japan-Korea agreement; and the fact that
the Government of the United States has been the first to take this step
is esteemed as a very graceful and friendly act. The inclosed
translation of an editorial from the “Jiji Shimbo” [not printed] of this
date indicates the feeling of the Japanese on this subject.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Chargé Wilson
to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
American Legation,
Tokyo, November 25,
1905.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
communicate to your excellency the fact that I have to-day received
from the Secretary of State telegraphic instructions, whereby I am
informed that in view of the recent convention between Japan and
Korea, in virtue of which the foreign relations of Korea are to be
conducted through your excellency’s government, the American
legation at Seoul has been withdrawn.
The Secretary of State, therefore directs that this legation assume
the representation of the United States in diplomatic matters
affecting rights of treaty, persons, and property in Korea.
Accordingly I shall hereafter have the honor of addressing your
excellency in dealing with such questions.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
The Minister of Foreign
Affairs to Chargé Wilson.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Tokyo, November 28, 1905.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of the 25th instant, informing me that in view
of the recent convention between Japan and Korea, in virtue of which
the foreign relations of Korea are to be conducted through the
Imperial Government, the United States have withdrawn their legation
at Seoul, that their legation at Tokyo will assume the
representation of the United States in diplomatic matters affecting
American
[Page 616]
rights of treaty,
persons, and property in Korea, and that you will hereafter address
me in dealing with such questions.
In reply I beg to state that the Imperial Government are profoundly
satisfied with the prompt and just steps which the United States
Government have taken in the matter.
Accept, etc.,
