共覽
次官
局長
課長
No.MTB-095
DATE. 1219
TO. Office of the President & Foreign Minister
The Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister Yamada requested to see me and we met at 3 this afternoon and talked about 80 minutes. He said regarding return of our art objects he could assure us that all art objects taken from Korea after 1905 now in Government possession will be returned However it is impossible to return those in private possession. Regarding those in private possession it is impossible not only to locate them completely but to assures value to unable Finance Ministry to make appropriation available. He said it is impossible for Finance Ministry to agree to make such appropriation. I asked Yamada if he was making this statement officially as Vice Foreign Minister to which he replied in affirmative. I strongly urged it him to return art objects is private possession too and offered our help in locating them if Japan is sincerely eager to do so. Yamada again said it is impossible to include those in private possession for reasons already stated. Regarding Fishery issue Yamada, reminding me of what he previously told me and Ambassador Limb (reported in my latter Nos. 221, 227 and 237). He continued in this regard during process he wanted to discuss the issue with me, Mr. Chang and Vessel representatives. He said as he plans to go to soon America for Japanese Ambassadors Conference January 7th he wanted to do it before then. I asked him on vessels issue to which he replied that he undestood no list complete of vessels was presented by us, he wants to know our clear stand in this respect. Stiff argument followed on this matter. Before meeting was over I asked him when Japan will return the articles, Yamada said Japan will not fail to return them but he did not yet now when. I will report details via pouch. I would appreciate your keeping contents of this meeting secret.

Minister Yiu