File No. 893.51/799.
The Ambassador of Great Britain to the Acting Secretary of State.
Washington, March 12, 1912.
Dear Mr. Huntington Wilson: I have just received a telegram from Sir Edward Grey in which he says that he learns from the French minister that his Government would like Yuan Shih-kai to give an undertaking that he will not negotiate any important loan, except with the four banking groups, if he expects the cooperation of the four Governments in regard to the issue of a large reorganization loan. It is understood that the French proposal does not exclude the participation of Russian and Japanese groups, a principle to which France has already agreed.
His Majesty’s Government is in favor of asking for an assurance from Yuan Shih-kai such as that suggested by the French Government, but Sir Edward Grey would prefer to alter the words “any important loan” to “any loan that might conflict with the interests or weaken the security of the large loan which is at present being negotiated by the four groups with the approval of their Governments.”
I am instructed to bring this information to the knowledge of your Government and I shall be grateful if you will put me in possession of their views on the subject.
Believe me [etc.]