As information was received that only such contributions as were made directly to the Government were to be declined, this generous expression of sympathy consisting of voluntary contributions made through the Japanese Red Cross to the American National Red Cross for the purpose of this relief work was accepted by the President of the Red Cross in the following letter:
Washington, D. C., May 8, 1906.
Your Excellency:
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 5th of May, in which you inform me that the Red Cross Society of Japan has solicited contributions from the general public in Japan for the relief of distress caused to the population of California by the recent earthquake, and has transmitted to you by telegraph the sum of $50,000, with a request that it be applied to the above-named purpose through the American National Red Cross. Your Excellency asks that I advise you whether I can use my good offices in the premises.
In reply I beg, on behalf of the American National Red Cross, to express its gratitude and that of the people of California, for the generosity of the Japanese Red Cross and the people of Japan, and to say that I shall be glad, on behalf of the American National Red Cross, to receive the contributions mentioned, and to expend them for the purposes mentioned in Your Excellency’s letter.
I have the honor to be, Your Excellency,
Very sincerely yours,
WM. H. TAFT,
President, American National Red Cross.
His Excellency, Viscount S. Aoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Japanese Embassy, Washington.
On May 21st a second installment was received from Japan and accepted in the following letter: