File No. 893.001H85/4
President Wilson to President Hsü Shih-ch’ang
On this memorable anniversary when the Chinese people unite to commemorate the birth of the Republic of China, I desire to send to you on behalf of the American people my sincere congratulations upon your accession to the Presidency of the Republic and my most heartfelt wishes for the future peace and prosperity of your country and people. I do this with the greatest earnestness, not only because of the long and strong friendship between our countries, but more especially because, in this supreme crisis in the history of civilization China is torn by internal dissensions so grave that she must compose these before she can fulfil her desire to cooperate with her sister nations in their great struggle for the future existence of their highest ideals. This is an auspicious moment, as you enter upon the duties of your high office, for the leaders in China to lay aside their differences and guided by a spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice to unite in a determination to bring about harmonious cooperation among all elements of your great nation, so that each may contribute its best effort for the good of the whole, and enable your Republic to reconstitute its national unity and assume its rightful place in the councils of nations.