File No. 893.00/2632
[Untitled]
Peking, June 27, 1917, 5 p.m.
My June 25, 1 p.m. Judged by the situation in China at the time of presentation the Department’s note of June 4 seems to carry the assurance that the United States intended to use its influence in China in a manner friendly and not obstructive to the interests acquired by Japan and to its position as a neighboring country; but by no means to limit the exercise of independent diplomatic action by the United States. Such a manifestation of good faith would perhaps call for similar reciprocal fair, frank treatment of our interests in China by Japan.