Office of the Historian

File No. 763.72119/1247

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

[Telegram]
Washington, February 11, 1918, 5 p.m.

Department’s December 18, 4 p.m.1 The Department learns that the Chinese Government requests of powers at war with Germany and Austria (1) that China be guaranteed against any demands which the enemy may make as a result of the deportation to Australia of enemy subjects or because of other measures against enemy trade and property, and (2) that China be assured of favorable treatment at the peace conference.

If such requests come to you you will say that in so far as the American Government is competent so to do it will (1) give the guarantee asked and (2) assure China of the same consideration at the peace conference as other powers concerned.

For your information and guidance:

The American Government prefers to act independently, not being in formal alliance with other powers. Your action even though similar to that of certain of your colleagues ought to be separate.

Lansing
  1. Foreign Relations, 1917, Supplement 2, vol. I, p. 709.↩