Treaty Obligations

In answer to a note from the Powers offering full recognition of the Provisional Government under Tuan Chi-jui, provided that all treaties negotiated with preceding Chinese Governments were recognized, the New Government replied that it intended to observe all its treaty duties.

The note from the Powers, of course, presupposed that they would stand by their treaty obligations; accordingly the Chinese Government wrote:

The Chinese Government is gratified to be apprised that the Governments signatory to the Washington treaties are willing and anxious to proceed as soon as practicable with the carrying out of the measures contemplated in the Washington treaties and resolutions.

The Government regrets the delay which has unexpectedly occurred, and sincerely hopes that, with the assurances of friendly assistance now given by the Governments concerned, these measures can soon be put into execution, in accordance with the intentions of the agreements at the Washington Conference.