File No. 893.00/1105.
The Japanese Embassy to the Department of State.
Washington[, undated].
[Summary of an undated memorandum handed to the Acting Secretary of State by the Japanese Ambassador, February 23, 1912.]
The powers will be called upon to recognize any new and stable government established in China, and it is essential to continue under any such new order of affairs the rights, privileges and immunities of foreigners at present enjoyed. The majority of these rest upon treaty grants, but some depend upon legislative enactment or upon custom. Therefore a confirmation of all these rights, privileges and immunities should be secured by the powers at the time of recognition of any new government. At the same time they should secure from such new government formal engagements regarding the foreign indebtedness of China. In view of the foregoing the Imperial Japanese Government suggest that the principle of joint action, adhered to so successfully during the present crisis, be extended to the recognition of any new government and to the above-mentioned conditions thereof, in order to secure guaranties more satisfactory than could be obtained otherwise.