File No. 893.51/1835
Minister Reinsch to the Secretary of State
Peking, November 20, 1917, 7 p.m.
Your telegram of November 14, 5 p.m. The Legation learns French Group likewise offers no objection to the proposed Japanese advance, although it and British are alike unable to participate. It is feared that the Japanese may take advantage of the present disorganization of the Chinese Government to make this advance upon terms henceforward restricting financial independence of China. It may be that, if aware of the possibility of the American participation, the British and French Groups would be disposed to prevent a hasty consummation of such an arrangement by asking that negotiations be postponed until it could be ascertained whether an American Group would resume participation.