File No. 763.72/7732
The British Ambassador ( Spring Rice) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16.]
My Dear Mr. Secretary: On September 12 last you asked me verbally and unofficially whether it was intended to employ Chinese [Page 701] as soldiers on the western front. I have now received a telegram from the Foreign Office stating that the question of using Chinese pioneers has been raised by the French and is being discussed with them.
The British War Office do not consider it advisable to proceed with the proposal of forming a combatant Chinese brigade until the programme of transporting Chinese labourers for the British Armies and pioneers for the French Armies has been completed.
Believe me [etc.]