893.51/2082: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Reinsch ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 11.34 p.m.]
Your December 2nd, 5 p.m.65 The British Government has instructed the British Minister that the Treasury is not in a position at the present time to make any engagements with respect to giving financial assistance to China. Japanese and French Ministers are [Page 421] ready to join in a promise of assistance. I had understood that arrangements had been made for America, temporarily, to carry the British share of public financing in China. Unless such an arrangement has been or can be completed it would be necessary for the United States, France, and Japan to do the large financing, which will shortly be necessary upon restoration of Chinese unity, in order to place Chinese public affairs on a firm basis. As everything here depends on such effective action the definite information [on] this question is of the utmost importance.
I have the honor to urge that the representative of the American Government [group] proceed to China without delay.
- Not printed.↩