Believing that a frank avowal of that aim, policy, and intention would not only tend to strengthen the relations of friendship and good neighborhood, which have immemorially existed between Japan and the United States, but would materially contribute to the preservation of the general peace, the Imperial Government have authorized me to present to you an outline of their understanding of that common aim, policy, and intention: 1. It is the wish of the two Governments to encourage the free and peaceful development of their commerce on the Pacific Ocean. 2. The policy of both Governments, uninfluenced by any aggressive tendencies, is directed to the maintenance of the existing status quo in the region above mentioned and to the defense of the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry in China. 3. They are accordingly firmly resolved reciprocally to respect the territorial possessions belonging to each other in said region. 4. They are also determined to preserve the common interest of all powers in China by supporting by all pacific means at their disposal the 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. K. TAKAHIRA DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 30, 1908. 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: 1. It is the wish of the two Governments to encourage the free and peaceful development of their commerce on the Pacific Ocean. 2. The policy of both Governments, uninfluenced by any aggressive tendencies, is directed to the maintenance of the existing status quo in the region above mentioned, and to the defense of the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry in China. 3. They are accordingly firmly resolved reciprocally to respect the territorial possessions belonging to each other in said region. 4. They are also determined to preserve the common interests of all powers in China by supporting by all pacific means at their disposal the 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. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration. His Excellency BARON KOGORO TAKAHIRA, Japanese Ambassador. KONGO. (SEE CONGO, PAGE 327.) ELIHU ROOT. KOREA. (SEE COREA, PAGE 334.) LEW CHEW. 1854. COMPACT OF FRIENDSHIP AND COMMERCE. Concluded July 11, 1854; ratification advised by the Senate March 3, 1855; ratified by the President March 9, 1855; proclaimed March 9, 1855. Hereafter, whenever citizens of the United States come to Lew Chew, they shall be treated with great courtesy and friendship. Whatever articles these people ask for, whether from the officers or people, which the Country can furnish, shall be sold to them; nor shall the authorities interpose any prohibitory regulations to the people selling, and whatever either party may wish to buy shall be exchanged at reasonable prices. any Whenever Ships of the United States shall come into harbor in Lew Chew, they shall be supplied with Wood and Water, at rea sonable prices, but if they wish to get other articles, they shall be purchaseable only at Napa. If Ships of the United States are wrecked on Great Lew Chew or on Islands under the jurisdiction of the Royal Government of Lew Chew, the local authorities shall dispatch persons to assist in saving life and property, and preserve what can be brought ashore till the Ships of that Nation shall come to take away all that may have been saved; and the expenses incurred in rescuing these unfortunate persons shall be refunded by the Nation they belong to. Whenever persons from Ships of the United States come ashore in Lew Chew, they shall be at liberty, to ramble where they please without hindrance or having officials sent to follow them, or to sp what they do; but if they violently go into houses, or trifle with women. or force people to sell them things, or do other such like illegal acts. they shall be arrested by the local officers, but not maltreated, and shall be reported to the Captain of the Ship to which they belong for punishment by him. At Tumai is a burial ground for the Citizens of the United States, where their graves and tombs shall not be molested. who The Government of Lew Chew shall appoint skillful pilots, shall be on the lookout for Ships appearing off the Island, and if one is seen coming towards Napa, they shall go out in good boats beyond the reefs to conduct her in to a secure anchorage, for which service the Captain shall pay the pilot Five Dollars, and the same for going out of the harbor beyond the reefs. Whenever Ships anchor at Napa, the officers shall furnish them ith Wood at the rate of Three Thousand Six hundred Copper Cash er thousand catties; and with Water at the rate of 600 Copper Cash 13 cents) for one thousand catties, or Six barrels full, each containng 30 American Gallons. Signed in the English and Chinese languages by Commodore Matnew C. Perry, Commander in Chief of the United States Naval "orces in the East India, China and Japan Seas, and Special Envoy Japan, for the United States; and by Sho Fu fing, Superintendent f Affairs (Tsu li-kwan) in Lew Chew, and Ba Rio-si, Treasurer of ew Chew, at Shni, for the Government of Lew-Chew, and copies xchanged, this 11th day of July, 1854, or the reign Hien fung, 4th ear, 6th moon, 7th day, at the Town Hall of Napa. M, C, PERRY LIBERIA. 1862. TREATY OF COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION. Concluded October 21, 1862; ratification advised by the Senate Jana ary 9, 1863; ratified by the President January 12, 1863; ratifies tions exchanged February 17, 1863; proclaimed March 18, 1863. I. Amity. II. Freedom of commerce. III. No discrimination in vessels. V. Shipwrecks and salvage. ARTICLES. VI. Most favored nation privileges VIII. Noninterference in Liberia. The United States of America and the Republic of Liberia, desiring to fix, in a permanent and equitable manner, the rules to be observe in the intercourse and commerce they desire to establish between the respective countries, have agreed, for this purpose, to conclude treaty of commerce and navigation, and have judged that the s end cannot be better obtained than by taking the most perfect equal and reciprocity for the basis of their agreement; and to effect this they have named as their respective plenipotentiaries, that is to sa The President of the United States of America, Charles Francs Adams, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of St. James; and the Rep lic of Liberia, His Excellency Stephen Allen Benson, Preside thereof; Who, after having communicated to each other their respecte full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles: ARTICLE I. There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the Unite States of America and the Republic of Liberia, and also betwe the citizens of both countries. ARTICLE II. There shall be reciprocal freedom of commerce between the Unit States of America and the Republic of Liberia. The citizens of United States of America may reside in and trade to any part the territories of the Republic of Liberia to which any other for |