693.003/434: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Reinsch ) to the Secretary of State
[Extract]
Peking
,
November 27, 1917, 2
p.m.
[Received 5.11 p.m.]
[Received 5.11 p.m.]
. . . . . . .
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the British Minister considered that the conference is essentially administrative in character being called for the purpose not of making a new treaty but carrying [Page 643] out the provisions existing treaties with respect to effective 5 per cent duty, its task is technical in nature requiring expert knowledge but not calling for bestowal plenipotentiary powers. The British Minister has himself designated the British delegates.
Reinsch