File No. 763.72/6074
The Minister in China ( Reinsch) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 30.]
Sir: There has just come to my notice an article published by Mr. Samuel G. Blythe in the Saturday Evening Post entitled “First Time in Five Thousand Years,” which deals with the action taken by the Chinese Government against Germany on February 9. The manner in which the American suggestion of action was presented to the Chinese Government was reported to the Department in my No. 1390 of February 14, 1917.1 From this report it will be evident to the Department that Mr. Blythe could not be aware of the really essential steps taken in this important negotiation.
As to the incidental activities of various outsiders, men of influence with the Chinese, out of which Mr. Blythe weaves his interesting story, I have no detailed information concerning the accuracy of any of the incidents set forth by Mr. Blythe. In his effort to tell a dramatic story, Mr. Blythe has, however, injected an element which, to my knowledge, was not actually present, in that he sets forth that a certain group of men acted concertedly, as a temporary informal organization, under the direction of the American Minister. It is known to me that a number of influential men, of both American and British nationality, believed that it was highly desirable, both from the point of view of Chinese and Allied interests, that China should take action; in using their influence to assist in bringing about this end they acted spontaneously with the sole connecting link of a common purpose. The sum of their influence probably did make itself felt among various groups of Chinese public men. But their mode of action, as far as I know, differed in no way from that which takes place ordinarily and at all times in efforts to influence public opinion.
As far as the Chinese are concerned, my action was confined strictly to the negotiations as reported in despatch No. 1390; my [Page 454] conversations were chiefly with the Premier, incidentally with the President, members of the Cabinet, and Mr. C. C. Wu, representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The action of the Chinese Government was taken solely on the basis of the facts and considerations laid before them.
I have [etc.]