Nobuaki Makino to Sutemi Chinda

The American Ambassador called on me August 19, to discuss the question of the proposed Japanese–American Agreement respecting alien land tenure, copy of which had been forwarded to him for his confidential information.
I called his attention to the fact that the two nations had always placed special importance, in deeds as well as in words, upon the maintenance of their mutual relations of genuine friendship, and I remarked that no serious differences of political significance had ever marred the record of their long standing intercourse, until the questions of immigration and of land ownership came up for adjustment. Fortunately, the problem of immigration, it would be remembered, had been brought to a final and satisfactory conclusion a few years ago, and the only controversy now awaiting solution related to the subject of land ownership.
I refrained muself from discussion on those features of the California alien land law, to which the Imperial Government felt bound to take exception, but I pointed out that the discrrimination against Japanese subjects and the disregard of their vested interests, which the new legislation unmistakably implied, created a deplorable impression upon our people of all classes and political affiliations. Agitations of serious magnitude had broken out among certain quarters in Japan, and, while every endeavor was being made to appease popular resentment, it would apparently be impossible, so long as the cause of grievances was left unremedied, to remove the sentiments of grave concern and dissatisfaction at the unfair treatment to which Japanese people were subjected in California. I explained that in Japan, the days when statesmen of an exclusive class governed and controlled the foreign policy of the country independently of the trend of public opinion were fast duisappearing, and the mass of the people now claimed to have a voice in the determination of the destiny of the nation. I declared that, being apprehensive of the untoward and unfavorable development of the situation, which might be brought about under the new order of things, the Imperial Government were sincerely bent upon every possible exertion, before it was too late, to find a suitable adjustment of the pending dispute, and to remove all causes of misunderstanding from their relations with the Government of the United States. I then proceeded to say that the Japanese Ambassador at Washington, with that object in view, and, at the same time, having regard to the position of the American Government, formulated a project for the regulation of the question and informally submitted it to the Secretary of State for his consideration. I continued that upon receipt from you reports on your action thus taken subject to the approval of the Cabinet at Tokio, I had decided to accept your plan of adjustment, and had authorized you to present it to the American Administration as official proposals of the Imperial Government.
I embraced this opportunity to assure to Mr. Guthrie the profound appreciation, felt by the Government and people of Japan, of the friendly attitude shown by the President, in urging upon the Californian authorities, while the land bill was under discussion, the advisability of suppression, from that bill, of certain objectionable clauses, and in sending the Secretary of State to Sacramento to give counsel to the State Legislature. I added that those manifestations of good will on the part of the President created an excellent impression in Japan.
Finally, I expressed my earnest hope that the American Administration might find its way clear to accept the proposed Agreement, and to co–operate with the Imperial Government in the solution of the problem, which the high cause of international friendship seemed to demand.
The American Ambassador, in reply, dwelt at great length upon the momentous value which he attached to the relations of good accord and understanding between the two countries. He said that he had always watched with keen interest the furtherance of such relations, and that it was because of his sincere solicitude to contribute towards that desirable end, that he had gladly accepted the responsible post of representing the United States in Japan. He was fully sensible of the importance of bringing to a satisfactory close the difficulties created by the recent legislation in California, and he expressed his personal concurrence in the draft Agreement proposed by the Japanese Government. He added that he would at once telegraph to his Government recommending favorable consideration of the Japanese proposals.
The interview was entirely cordial, and I was deeply impressed with the sincerity and earnestness which Mr. Guthrie displayed in dealing with the question.