File No. 763.72/3540

The Chinese Minister ( Koo) to the Secretary of State

No. 41

Sir: In pursuance of instructions from my Government, I have the honor to inform you that by reason of the fact that the German Government, in its reply of the 10th instant as communicated by the German Minister, while professing willingness to discuss means for safeguarding the lives and property of Chinese citizens, definitely refused to renounce its methods of submarine blockade, the Chinese Government was forced to conclude that its protest was ineffectual, and therefore notified the German Minister on the 14th instant that diplomatic relations with the German Government were severed. On the same day the Chinese Government delivered to the German Minister and his staff their passports for leaving the country, and issued telegraphic instructions to the different local authorities to deliver to the German consular officers their passports.

Accept [etc.]

Vi Kyuin Wellington Koo