File No. 893.00/2896
The Minister in China ( Reinsch) to the Secretary of State
The sentiment for peaceful settlement of internal discord is growing. Peace society composed of prominent men all parties has been formed and is active. Military leaders, though discounting civilian efforts at peace, are themselves talking compromise with Southern military men. The President yesterday issued a peace mandate in which, taking as his point of departure President Wilson’s statements on international relations, he bewails the evil results of civil strife in China and proposes reunion without as yet laying down a definite procedure of reconciliation. He pictures the advantage of reunion when, joining hands with the friendly powers, united China again turns to development of industry and reform of government.
The reference to reconstituting national unity in the President’s telegram to President Hsü has made a profound impression, it has been welcomed by leaders and the public as counsel inspired by true friendship. The press has been filled with reports that the American and British Ministers were working for peace. A formal proposal in this sense would have been felt as a relief and escape from a difficult situation. I have confined myself to expressing to the President in line with President Wilson’s statement, when the occasion demanded, the hope that wasteful civil war might be ended but have of course made no démarche of any kind.
Telegram received from Ambassador Morris yesterday indicates that the Japanese Government too has read the spirit of the times and [Page 116] concluded that the backing of the Chinese military clique in prolonging civil strife has served its purpose and that a different policy must now be inaugurated. Their officials in China had hitherto shown themselves exceedingly jealous of the supposed leadership of Great Britain and America in favor of a peaceful settlement. After action taken by President Hsü, any joint démarche or advice could now properly take the form of indorsing his proposal and urging its prompt execution.