File No. 893.00/2617
Chargé Wheeler to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, June, 17, 1917, 11 p.m.
Yesterday Minister for Foreign Affairs addressing the Budget Committee of Peers and Representatives in reply to interpellation in regard to our note to China stated that, her policy being one of noninterference with China’s internal policies, Japan had not been of a mind with the United States as to the proposal for an identic representation and had therefore communicated with Britain and France. The former had already concurred with Japan’s opinion that representations in China at this juncture are not desirable and he had reason to believe that France also would do so. A great change however had taken place in Chinese affairs since the American proposal had been considered.
[Page 73]I am informed that such a reply on the part of Great Britain has been received from the Japanese Ambassador in London. Newspaper comment is now absolutely friendly. It is believed in official quarters that Viscount Ishii will be instructed to repeat [undertake?] conversations at Washington on the whole Chinese situation.