File No. 5315/247.
Chargé Fletcher to the Secretary of State.
Peking, June 15, 1909.
Says that Liang has had an interview with Chang and has explained to him the purport of department’s telegram of the 12th. Chang later says he is willing to allow American participation in the present loan if the foreign bankers will agree, but he does not feel like asking them to admit us. Says that Chang has promised to delay memorializing for edict until time has been given to reach a solution if possible. Mr. Fletcher has been asked how far the United States would desire to change the present agreement. Says that the British and Germans are given greater rights in regard to chief engineers and auditors than French, who only participate in the financing and have equal preference in regard to materials.
Mr. Fletcher asks if the American group would be content to participate in the loan on the same footing as the French, and how much of the loan would they be satisfied with.