Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 8, 1914

File No. 493.11/507.

Minister Reinsch to the Secretary of State.³⁶

No. 266.]

American Legation,
Peking, June 18, 1914.

Sir: With reference to your instruction No. 80 of April 23 I have the honor to report as follows:

The British and German Legations are willing to take the position, identical with that of the American Legation, that the Chinese Government by its undertaking to compensate for losses growing out of the Revolution of 1911–1912, did not assume liability for indirect losses, and that, therefore, claims for such losses will not be pressed against the Chinese Government. Should, however, the Chinese Government, by paying claims of this nature to other countries, voluntarily assume, as a supplement to its original undertaking, to pay claims for indirect losses, these Governments reserve the right to a like privilege of indemnification.

I have orally informed the Foreign Office that this Legation will take the position above stated. It is believed that this will greatly strengthen the hands of the Chinese Government in resisting claims which it may not fairly be said to have assumed in the original undertaking.

I have [etc.]

Paul S. Reinsch

.

36. Receipt acknowledged July 11, 1914.