File No. 893.811/106.
The Counselor of the Department of State, as Chairman of the International Relief Board of the American National Red Cross, to the President.
Washington, February 4, 1914.
My Dear Mr. President: On the 26th ultimo, as chairman of the International Relief Board of the American Red Cross, I had the [Page 105] honor to address to you a letter in relation to a proposal of the Chinese Government to employ the good offices of the American Red Cross for the purpose of securing an American contractor to take up and perform the important engineering work necessary to the prevention of floods and famines in the basin of the Huai River. I am happy to be able to advise you that the Chinese Government has, since my letter was written, signed a memorandum definitely conferring upon the American Red Cross formal authority to proceed in the matter. This step was taken by the Chinese Government sooner than we had expected, probably for the reason, as intimated by our Legation at Peking, that the Government desired to relieve itself of pressure from other quarters. In the circumstances, the American Red Cross desires itself to proceed with all possible promptitude and to this end to take up the matter with the proposed contractor in a definite way. On the 30th ultimo the American Red Cross received from Peking a telegram stating that Dr. Chen Chin Tao was on his way to London by the Trans-Siberian route and that he had full powers to treat with contractors for the conservancy work and to close a contract if proper terms could be agreed upon. I therefore trust that you will pardon me for referring to my letter of the 26th ultimo and particularly to the question therein propounded as to whether the Government of the United States will give assurance of good offices and diplomatic support in behalf of the American contractor should he be able to agree with the Chinese Government on fair and equitable terms.
Very respectfully yours,