Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917, Supplement 2, The World War, Volume I

File No. 763.72/7406

The Minister in China ( Reinsch ) to the Secretary of State

No. 1652

Peking , September 28, 1917 .
[Received October 22.]

Sir: I have the honor to enclose copies of an exchange of notes between the Legation and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to be effected to-day, which I forward in order to have them in your hands as soon as possible.

In accordance with your telegraphic instructions of March 26, 1917, 4 p.m.¹ I have since the receipt of same kept before the Chinese Government the desirability of making such a declaration to the American Government. Their consent has now finally been secured. While it may be impossible to protect the Chinese Government against the infiltration of foreign influences, the present exchange of notes will, I believe, serve to strengthen and support the independence of China. The substance of the reply as communicated to you has been orally agreed to and is to be handed to me later to-day but after the fast mail shall have closed. Should it not be delivered in this form I shall give you telegraphic information.²

I have [etc.]

Paul S. Reinsch

[Enclosure 1]

The American Minister ( Reinsch ) to the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs ( Wang Ta-hsieh )

No. 658

Peking , September 28, 1917 .

Excellency: In behalf of my Government I have the honor to request a statement as to the policy of Your Excellency’s Government in the matter of any use which may be made of the Chinese military forces, equipment, arsenals, and munition factories during the present war, particularly whether or not these agencies are in whole or in part to be placed under the control of foreign powers.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew [etc.]

Paul S. Reinsch

[Enclosure 2]

Proposed Reply of the Chinese Government

Substance of the Reply Which the Chinese Government Has Agreed to Send to the Note No. 658 of September 28

The Chinese Government will retain complete control of its military forces, equipment, arsenals and munition factories; any arrangements which may be made for giving military assistance to the common cause in this war will be carried out by the Chinese Government itself.

1. Supplement 1, p. 422.
2. Receipt of the note of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the terms of enclosure 2 and under date of Sept. 28, is reported in the Minister’s despatch No. 1656, Oct. 8, received Nov. 19. (File No. 763.72/7780.)