893.00/3110: Telegram
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
While the Peace Conference still remains in adjournment negotiations are going on between representatives of Northern parties and the Southern military leaders.
Opinion inclines to expect some compromise between them as a result of which the Shanghai Conference may resume, though with a considerable weakening of the Parliamentary party in the end.
I have consulted with colleagues concerning possible statement by the five powers at this time. Opinion inclines to consider useful a [Page 354] statement to the effect that the representatives view with great concern the delay in the settlement of internal difficulties caused by the adjournment of the Peace Conference, desire to inquire what exertions are being made to accelerate an understanding, and express the expectation that a reversion to military action will be scrupulously avoided by both sides. The five representatives will meet on May 6th [26th], and will probably agree in a friendly statement as above in the belief that the moderate leaders on both sides will thereby be [encouraged] to resume and finish negotiations. Authorization is requested.51
- The Acting Secretary of State replied, in a telegram of May 24, 7 p.m., “Department approves.”↩