893.00/4423: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 7—8 a.m.]
250. My 231, May 24, 1 p.m. Japanese Minister left for Tsingtao 4th. Japanese counsellor called on me afternoon 6th to report his Government’s reply to identic telegram. He stated orally Japanese Government did not consider time opportune to carry out suggestion of four Ministers as fighting had not ceased; Chang Tso-lin was not beaten, Sun Yat-sen was aggressively active, and effect of adopting four Ministers’ suggestion might be to commit their respective Governments to support of one particular party in China. Counsellor added Japanese Government feared if loans were made proceeds might be used for internal political purposes. Stated also Japanese Government did not want to give to Japanese Minister, Peking, the discretion suggested in identic telegram. He concluded by saying that Japanese Government considered it expedient and necessary that the four Ministers should confer and act in concert.
In spite of all efforts to secure secrecy with respect to this matter it has been discussed in Tokyo by Kokumin, May 30th, and Japan Advertiser, May 31st, and in Peking by Japanese-controlled North China Standard, June 6th.