763.72119/2716: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Reinsch ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21—2:38 a.m.]
Referring to the Department’s telegram of November 18, 4 p.m. The Chinese Government will assign British and Japanese presidential advisers as counsellors to the Chinese delegation to the [Peace Conference?]. Willoughby too would go as adviser to the President detailed by him to assist the delegation and employed under substantially the same contract as that under which he formally [formerly?] served. In view of these facts, I beg to remove [renew?] my recommendation that he be permitted to accept the appointment offered to him by the President of China unless it be the desire of the American Government that American expert assistance should be eliminated on this occasion which decision would have to be explained to the Chinese Government.
Some one with the special knowledge and qualification possessed by Willoughby would be of value in facilitating close working relations between the American and Chinese delegations, whether he be attached to the American or the Chinese delegations. The fundamental importance of a right settlement of the Chinese situation in order that dangers ever [even?] greater than the one just overcome may be avoided in time makes desirable the presence of men possessed of thorough recent information.