File No. 893.811/167.
The Secretary of State to Minister Reinsch.
Washington, December 22, 1914.
Your despatch No. 424 of October 28.
The engineers’ report indicates Huai River project entirely practicable, but war conditions make impossible now to negotiate loan or contract or obtain advance of funds for immediate use, which Red Cross sincerely regrets. Does China desire continued interest of Red Cross in working out project, which assistance Red Cross will be glad to render as soon as world conditions improve? If so, formal extension of exclusive option to Red Cross desirable. If extension conceded by China, Red Cross would be glad to have it arranged by the American Minister. Two hundred copies of the final report of the Board of Engineers with maps will be forwarded to China within a week.