In case, contrary to its expectations, its protest be ineffectual the Government of the Chinese Republic will be constrained, to its profound regret, to sever the diplomatic relations at present existing between the two countries.  It is unnecessary to add that the attitude of the Chinese Government has been dictated purely by the desire to further the cause of the world’s peace and by the maintenance of the sanctity of international law.

    I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the
    assurance of my highest consideration.

At the same time the following reply was handed to the American Minister in Peking thus definitely clinching the matter: 

    Your Excellency: 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s Note of the 4th February, 1917, informing me that the Government of the United States of America, in view of the adoption by the German Government of its new policy of submarine warfare on the 1st of February, has decided to take certain action which it judges necessary as regards Germany.

The Chinese Government, like the President of the United States of America, is reluctant to believe that the German Government will actually carry into execution those measures which imperil the lives and property of citizens of neutral states and jeopardize the commerce, even legitimate, between neutrals as well as between neutrals and belligerents and which tend, if allowed to be enforced without opposition, to introduce a new principle into public international law.

The Chinese Government being in accord with the principles set forth in Your Excellency’s note and firmly associating itself with the Government of the United States, has taken similar action by protesting energetically to the German Government against the new measures of blockade.  The Chinese Government also proposes to take such action in the future as will be deemed necessary for the maintenance of the principles of international law.

    I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the
    assurance of my highest consideration.

    His Excellency Paul S. Reinsch,
    Envoy Extraordinary & Minister Plenipotentiary of
    The United States of America.

When these facts became generally known an extraordinary ferment was noticeable.  What efforts had to be made to overcome the not inconsiderable opposition of the Military Party who were opposed to any departure from a policy of passive neutrality need not now be set down; but it is sufficient to state that the decision arrived at was in every sense a victory of the younger intellectual forces over the older mandarinate, whose traditions of laissez faire and spineless diplomacy had hitherto cost the country so dear.  A definite