The Secretary of State to Minister Wilson.
Washington, March 19, 1908.
Ambassador Reid telegraphs 18th British foreign office will soon give memorandum to minister in Belgium urging upon Belgian Government caution against taking over property from King under any guaranty of concessions which might be contrary to rights of the treaty powers and to make no calculations on revenues that can only be derived from forced labor. Will have their minister communicate on these points with you and hopes for concerted action. British [Page 551] Government will publish facts concerning forced labor in parliamentary document.
You will telegraph fully whatever overtures or proposals your British colleague may make to you. The instructions you have already received amply define our position, which, as you have already been told, is not in all respects identical with that of Great Britain because resting on other treaties than hers.