893.00/3177
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of
State
Peking, June 3,
1919.
[Received July
22.]
No. 2787
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of
the text of the memorandum on the settlement of internal
difficulties in China as adopted by the representatives of Great
Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States on May 28th.
The memorandum will be delivered to the President by the British
Minister in behalf of the five representatives of whom he is the
senior. On the same day the memorandum will be delivered to the
authorities at Canton by the senior Consul there. (June 5th.)
While the Ministers in taking this action are not very sanguine as to
important results to be attained, nevertheless it seemed that the
action would result in encouragement to those men, North and South,
who are earnestly exerting themselves to bridge over the existing
difficulties and that the definite statement in opposition to the
resumption of military action would, at any rate, have a re-assuring
effect.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
Memorandum Adopted by the Representatives of
Great Britain, France, Japan, Italy, and the United States
for Presentation to the President of China and the
Authorities at Canton
[
Peking,]
May 28, 1919.
52
The representatives of Great Britain, France, Japan, Italy, and
the United States viewing with deep concern the delay in the
settlement of internal difficulties in China due to the
adjournment of the
[Page 355]
Shanghai Peace Conference, desire to express the hope that the
conference may be reconvoked and negotiations brought to a
successful close at the earliest possible date. Since the aims
of both parties have now been stated, it ought to be possible
without further delay to find a solution just to all and in the
common interest of the country and the Chinese people. Meanwhile
the representatives of the Powers trust that neither party will,
in any way, sanction a resumption of military measures.
In making this statement the representatives of the Powers desire
to assure the Chinese authorities and people of the continued
good will and friendly interest of their Governments and nations
who will welcome with the greatest satisfaction the restoration
of union and concord throughout China with her Government in the
full exercise of its powers organized to promote the general
welfare of the people.
