Undated Draft by the Secretary of State of an Agreement between the United States of America, the British Empire, France, and Japan Agreement for the preservation of general peace and maintenance of rights of High Contracting Parties with respect to their insular possessions and dominions in Pacific. (Footnote: Drafting of the above after word was received from Japan that a four-power agreement would be acceptable.) Undated Memorandum by the Technical Adviser of the American Delegation of a Conversation at the Home of the Secretary of State, December 8, 1921, 3 p.m. Dec. 8 Dec. 9 Dec. 9 Discussion by Hughes and Balfour of mandate issue as it affects pending four-power treaty. A decision to complete agreement as soon as possible and announce it to public. Memorandum by the Secretary to the British Empire Delegation of a Conversation at the Home of the Secretary of State, December 8, 1921, 4:30 p.m. Discussion by Hughes, Balfour, Viviani, Jusserand, and Memorandum by the Secretary to the British Empire Delegation Discussion as to phraseology of draft agreement, Shidehara From Jonkheer van Karnebeek, of the Netherland Delegation Suggestion that Hughes' statement to next plenary session of conference contain assurance of U. S. cooperation toward insertion in general arrangement of a formal recognition of the territorial status quo of countries like the Netherlands not a party to the arrangement. Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with M. Viviani, of the French Delegation, December 9, 1921, 6:15 p.m. Assent of France to four-power treaty and arrangements for plenary session of conference. Dec. 10 To Certain Diplomatic and Consular Officers (tel.) 30 Dec. 12 Statement Issued to the Press by the Department of State Announcement of conclusion of agreement with Japan respecting Island of Yap and other mandated islands in the Pacific Ocean north of the Equator; discussion of provisions of agreement. 31 1921 Dec. 13 Treaty between the United States of America, the British Empire, Relating to insular possessions and insular dominions in the region of the Pacific Ocean. Dec. 13 Supplementary Declaration Understanding concerning mandated islands in the Pacific Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with Dec. 20 Japanese request for agreement on interpretation of words "insular possessions and insular dominions" in four-power treaty, which would exclude the main islands of Japan. Statement Issued to the Press from the White House Difference of views between President Harding and U. S. delegates on construction of words "insular possessions and insular dominions," the President being of the opinion that homeland of Japan is excluded but having no objection to the construction of the delegates that homeland is included. Dec. 27 From Ambassador Ricci, of the Italian Delegation (1) Request for Italian accession to four-power agreement relating to Pacific; reasons for participation. To Mr. Frank H. Simonds Refutation of press article which stated France was ignored in preparation of treaty and referred to for signature only; recounting of facts in case. To Mr. Balfour, of the British Delegation Draft of proposed identic note to the Netherland Government (text printed) announcing conclusion of treaty and giving assurance that rights of the Netherlands in relation to their insular possessions in the Pacific will be respected. From the Chargé in Siam (tel.) Siam's informal expression of support of treaty; suggestion that Siam might welcome U. S. invitation to indicate diplomatic adherence thereto. Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with Ambassador Shidehara, of the Japanese Delegation, January 14, 1922 Jan. 24 Discussion concerning form of a supplemental agreement for the exclusion of main islands of Japan from four-power treaty; Secretary's suggestion that main islands be defined. To Ambassador Jusserand, of the French Delegation Draft of proposed note from Shidehara submitting supplementary agreement (texts printed) providing that term "insular possessions and insular dominions" shall include only Sakhalin, Formosa, the Pescadores, and islands under mandate of Japan. Transmittal also of copy of proposed identic note to the Netherlands. Date and number GENERAL CONFERENCE ON THE LIMITATION OF ARMAMENT-Continued Subject Page To M. Sarraut, of the French Delegation Transmittal of revised draft of proposed supplementary agreement substituting "Karafuto," Japan's portion of island, for "Sakhalin," to which Shidehara agrees. Request for French text. (Sent also to Ambassador Jusserand and Mr. Balfour.) To the Minister in Siam (tel.) Instruction to express gratification at Siam's sentiments and to explain that four-power treaty relates only to problems which concern insular possessions and insular dominions in the region of the Pacific. To the Minister in the Netherlands (tel.) Note for Foreign Minister (text printed) announcing conclusion of four-power treaty and giving assurances that Netherland rights in Pacific will be respected. (Sent, mutatis mutandis, to Minister in Portugal.) To Ambassador Shidehara, of the Japanese Delegation Modifying term "insular possessions and insular dominions," From the Italian Ambassador Feb. 13 Mar. 11 Italy's understanding that the United States will not oppose request for accession of Italy to four-power treaty if assent of other three Governments is obtained. To the Italian Ambassador Confirmation of understanding that United States would not oppose Italian request for accession to treaty if Italy obtained assent of other three signatories, pointing out that chief difficulty in way of accession lies in fact that treaty relates to insular possessions of contracting parties and that Italy has no such possessions. To Senator Oscar W. Underwood 44 45 45 45 46 47 47 48 A reply to questions raised in Senate debate concerning the negotiation and authorship of the treaty. Transmittal, in accordance with request, of copies of treaties analogous to four-power treaty, with regard (a) to provisions mutually to respect rights in relation to insular territories, and (b) to provisions to arbitrate or meet in conference. 51 1921 Undated Nov. 17 (390) Nov. 19 (8) Nov. 19 (392) Nov. 19 (199) Nov. 23 Nov. 23 (396) Proposal for a Limitation of Naval Armament, Presented by Plan based upon four principles: (1) elimination of capital From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Japanese approval of U. S. proposal in its general aspects; delegation, however, instructed regarding some details as to ships to be scrapped and ships to be kept in commission; approval of proportions allotted to three countries, with slight modifications. Memorandum by the French Delegation Naval situation of France: reductions due to war and ship scrapping after armistice; contemplated building program calling for light units only for protection of seacoast and colonies; projected replacement of 10 capital ships. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Report that Japanese Cabinet in general was satisfied with U. S. proposal but had left details to Admiral Kato, head of the Japanese delegation. Foreign Minister's opinion that Government would register no objection with Kato, but that there should be slight modifications. To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Press announcement of Japan's alleged objections to From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Opinion that no great concessions need be made to Kato, as Kato probably would not be supported by Government if he takes extreme position. Request for information concerning status of negotiations. Date and number GENERAL CONFERENCE ON THE LIMITATION OF ARMAMENT-Continued Subject Page 1921 Nov. 27 (202) Nov. 30 (403) To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) U. S. and British agreement on all major points. Japanese Attempt to organize Japanese press demand for fixed ratio Memorandum by the Japanese Naval Experts 67 68 69 Nov. 30 Opinion that ships under construction should not be included in estimating existing naval strength; conclusion that Japan has naval strength of at least 70 percent. Undated Memorandum by the American Naval Experts Refusal to agree with conclusions of Japanese naval experts that ships under construction should not be included in estimating naval strength and that Japan has naval strength of at least 70 percent. Note by the Secretary to the British Empire Delegation of a Con versation between the Secretary of State and Mr. Balfour, of Memorandum by the Secretary to the British Empire Delegation Deliberations by Hughes, Balfour, and Kato on proportion From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Press statement obviously official (text printed) calculated to prepare public mind to consider matter of ratio of naval strength as only part of proposed agreement. 74 75 83 |