File No. 704.9318.
The Chinese Minister to the Secretary of State.
Washington, September 1, 1914.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Chinese citizens resident in Costa Rica have of late had occasion to solicit the Government of the Republic of China for protection by reason of their growing interests in that country. But the Government of the Republic has no diplomatic or consular representative in Costa Rica.
Inasmuch as the American diplomatic and consular representatives in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Salvador are now looking after Chinese interests in those countries, I am instructed by my Government to inquire whether similar instructions can be given to the American diplomatic and consular representatives in Costa Rica to use their good offices, with the consent of the Costa Rican Government, in behalf of the Chinese residents in that country in case of need. Such friendly action on the part of the American Government will be greatly appreciated by my Government.
Accept [etc]