793.94/6855
The Secretary of State to President Roosevelt
My Dear Mr. President: In connection with two matters, first, the silver question and, second, the rumors that a forced rapprochement [Page 45] between China and Japan is in process, I send you herewith two telegrams, one from the American Ambassador at Tokyo and the other from the American Consul General and Counselor of Legation at Nanking, both of date February 2.44
The telegram from the Ambassador at Tokyo is guarded in tone but gives clear indication of important possibilities. The telegram from the Consul General and Counselor of Legation at Nanking, who is one of our most experienced “China” officers, gives an account of a conversation with Dr. H. H. Kung, Chinese Minister of Finance, in which Kung pleads for solicitous consideration by the American Government of the proposal which he has submitted with regard to silver. The proposal appears in a communication which has been made to us through the Chinese Legation, dated February 5,45 a copy of which I am sending to you separately.
These telegrams give indication of the bearing of the silver question upon developments in the field of Chinese-Japanese relations. Whatever the character and amount of the effect which our silver policy is having upon China and in China, we must recognize, I think, and give due consideration to the fact that it is contributing as one among many factors to the situation of weakness in China of which the Japanese are taking, toward extending their own authority in the Far East, full advantage.
Faithfully yours,