My dear Mr. Secretary
I am afraid I did not make my meaning clear in my earlier letter. I meant to express the hope that you would take up with Baron Makimo the question of the formulation and formal entrance into just such engagments as you suggested in your letter of June third; namely, the assurances and obligations which were orally assumed by Baron Makimo and Viscount Chinda when they were in consultation with our little conference here with regard to the Shantung matter.
It will seem perfectly natural for us to take the initiative in this matter, through our own Secretary of State, because Baron Makimo will understand without explication that the interests of the United States are very deeply involved, and it ought to be clear to him, as it is to me, that extended unrest in China, which will certainly ensue unless the most explicit reassurance is given, might not only immediately but for a long time to come disturb the peace of the East and might lead to very serious international complications. I beg that you will take the whole matter up with him very earnestly, and I am sure you will know how to handle it, in view of your past discussions of kindred subjects, in a way which will be entirely without irritation to the Japanese.
Cordially and faithfully yours,
Woodrow Wilson
