File No. 893.77/1633
The Secretary of State to Minister Reinsch
Washington, October 11, 1917, 3 p.m.
Your October 10, 10 a.m. British Ambassador on September 7 [8] handed Department a memorandum on “open door” and concessions in China stating that in the view of the British Government it was a cause for regret that a policy of earmarking certain areas for enterprises of specific countries had apparently gradually supplanted régime of Tree railway construction but that it would be a mistake not to recognize such a transition. A tacit recognition has been given during past ten years to a special position of Japan in Manchuria and Fukien, to Germany in Shantung, France in Hainan [Page 200] and provinces bordering Tongking, and Russia north of Great Wall, but that with exception of last His Britannic Majesty’s Government’s formal recognition had neither been sought nor given to special rights in those regions.
The Department replied on September 20 saying it would share British regret if it felt compelled to recognize such change which it did not admit. The British Government in its memorandum indicated possibility of joint cooperation in the proposed enterprise, but the Department without rejecting proposal intimated that the better plan would be to cooperate in securing a more faithful observance of the “open door” policy. British Ambassador was informed that if it will continue to support “the open” door or agree to do so on condition that other Governments renew their pledges the Government of the United States will be glad to have the cooperation of British Government to that end. British Ambassador telegraphed substance of Department’s memorandum of September 20 to London and on October 8 Ambassador informed Department that Secretary Balfour would give matter careful consideration as soon as memorandum should be received. Protest against construction of line has, therefore, not been withdrawn.
Copies of correspondence being sent you by Rodgers who sails October 11.