File No. 893.00/2581
The Secretary of State to Ambassador Sharp 3
Washington, June 4, 1917, 3 p.m.
2313. Communicate textually to the Foreign Office the following:
The Government of the United States has learned with profound regret of serious dissension in China and has the honor to propose to the Government of the French Republic that an identic representation be made by the Governments of the United States, France, Great Britain and Japan to the Chinese Government, expressing regret for the factional discord that has arisen and that the maintenance by China of one central, united and responsible government is of first importance both to China itself and to the world. Furthermore that the Governments of the United States, France, Great Britain and Japan consider the entrance of China into the war against Germany as of quite secondary importance as compared with unity and peace of China and hope that wise counsels will prevail and that harmony be restored which is so essential to China’s welfare.
- Mutatis mutandis to the American Embassies at London and Tokyo.↩