861.77/2684: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Whitehouse)
278. Your No. 350, September 5, 1 p.m.
Phrase “The Powers other than China” is intended to refer to the five Powers party to the agreement of January, 1919. The additional Powers who participated in the Washington resolutions have no direct substantial interest in the matter and it appears inadvisable in the opinion of this Government to extend the basis of the 1919 agreement. The participation of the additional Powers in the discussions at Washington arose entirely fortuitously as a result of their presence in the Conference for other purposes.
Present proposals do not contemplate a new international agreement as seems to be indicated in your telegram but look merely to the presentation at Peking by the five Powers of identic notes in the sense of the memorandum already submitted.