893.00/2994: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Reinsch ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 10.35 a.m.]
Your telegram of March 25, 5 p.m. As the Chinese at present hope to adjust the Shensi matter satisfactorily my colleagues and myself agree that it is best to wait. The matter is covered by the telegrams mentioned, as the breach of armistice is a most serious obstruction. [Page 328] But as the Governor is only the instrument of the Peking military clique they would resist his removal with all their prestige alleging that the advice constituted an interference with internal affairs. In this they would be supported by their Japanese advisers no matter what the formal action of the Japanese Minister might be. While reprobation of the efforts of military clique to undermine and defeat the Peace Conference is very necessary, I believe it should not be attempted until we can speak with more authority than at present and with less risk of securing only a more or less polite reply but no real action. Situation is very complex and we must be sure of our ground.