File No. 893.51/1070.
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Minister.
Washington, September 26, 1912.
Your September 25. The Department attaches the highest importance to the broad principle of international cooperation and concerted action; in pursuance of a policy harmonious with that principle and looking to the best interests equally of China and the other powers, the Department believes China must adopt adequate measures of supervision and control; in the Department’s opinion the work of the six-power groups is a most valuable factor in the application of that policy and in connection with those measures; and the Department would be greatly disappointed if the present confusion should seriously interfere with the success of that policy.
[Page 153]The Legation will regard the foregoing as fundamental and will use every effort to combat anything tending to jeopardize a policy of long standing and so clearly set forth in previous instructions.
The initiative in any joint protest may well be left to Great Britain, Among possible bases of protest it may be opportune to consider the moral obligations of China and the effect of the recently negotiated loan upon the Hukuang Railway bonds, upon the currency-reform loan, and upon China’s credit in the future and its ability to meet its international obligations, which may be pressed at any moment.