File No. 763.72/3397
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China ( Reinsch)
Your cipher telegram of February 28, 7 p.m. The French Ambassador has informed the Department that China has made overtures to join the Entente powers provided the latter will secure a consortium loan, agree to revise the tariff, remit the indemnity, and revise protocol of 1901. This indicates that the Foreign Office has not told you the whole situation.
There is nothing in the situation to hasten China’s entrance into war under the Entente leadership. … China will lose nothing by waiting.
It would seem to be safer for China to take no further action until this Government shall have determined its course. You may communicate the substance of above to Foreign Office.