File No. 893.00/776.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Peking, December 15, 1911.
The British, German and Japanese ministers, the French and Russian chargés, and myself held an informal meeting this evening to discuss the situation, which, we agreed, is daily growing worse, and unless a peace agreement result from the meeting at Shanghai1 on the 18th, anarchy is near at hand; hence it was thought advisable to exert some moral pressure on both sides to bring them together. The Russian Chargé suggested that an informal and unofficial note be sent by each of us to Tong Shao Yi and Wu Ting Fang (representing the respective sides) and worded as follows:
Very confidential. The ----- legation at Peking has been Instructed by its Government to make the following unofficial representation to the Commissioners entrusted with the duty of negotiating the conditions of the reestablishment of peace in China:
The ----- Government considers that the continuation of the present struggle in China seriously affects not only the country itself but also the material interests and the security of foreigners. While maintaining the attitude of strict neutrality adopted by it up to the present time, the ----- Government considers that it is its duty in an unofficial manner to call the attention of the two delegations to the necessity of arriving as soon as possible at an understanding capable of putting an end to the present conflict, being persuaded that this attitude responds to the desires of both parties in question.
Informal delivery of a copy for each legation to be made by the consul at Shanghai; no legation to act unless all are authorized to do so.
Answer hereto should be received on the 17th.
- Of representatives of the contending forces.↩