The Japanese Chargé to Acting Secretary of State Adee.

My Dear Mr. Adee: Acknowledging for Mr. Takahira, receipt of your note of the 18th instant relative to the request of the Russian Government, transmitted by the United States ambassador at St. Petersburg to the effect that permission be given to Captain Ginter to replace Captain Berlinski of the interned Russian transport Lena, who is now in Russia on sick leave, I beg to state in reply that the Japanese Government have no objection to such permission being granted by the United States Government.

The statement to the effect that Russian minister of marine has given assurance that Captain Berlinski will take no part in the present war has been noted.

I am, etc.,

Eki Hioki.