tion would have as a result the
introduction into international law of arbitrary principles
incompatible with even legitimate commercial intercourse between
neutral states and between neutral states and belligerent powers.

The Chinese Government, therefore, protests energetically to the
Imperial German Government against the measures proclaimed on
February 1st, and sincerely hopes that with a view to respecting the
rights of neutral states and to maintaining the friendly relations
between these two countries, the said measures will not be carried
out.

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