Telegram from the Chihli Citizens’ Convention to the Chinese delegation at the Paris Peace Conference, 17 May 1919. Catalogue ref: FO 608/210/3
Transcript
PLEASE WITHHOLD SIGNATURE ON TREATY GIVING GERMAN RIGHTS IN SHANTUNG TO JAPAN AND NOTE THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WHICH PLEASE TRANSMIT TO PRESIDENT WILSON AND THEIR EXCELLENCIES LLOYD GEORGE CLEMENCEAU ORLANDO WE CITIZENS OF CHIHLI FEEL INDIGNENT AT THE CONFERENCE DECISION ALLOWING JAPAN TO INHERIT GERMAN RIGHTS IN SHANTUNG SINCE THE DUTY OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO SECURE PERMANENT PEACE FOR THE WORLD IT SHOULD NOT CONTINANCE ANY ACT OR CONDITION TENDING TO CREATE DISSATISFACTION AND UNREST PEACE OF THE FAR EAST WILL BE ENDANGERED IF KIAOCHOW AND APPURTENANT RIGHTS ARE NOT DIRECTLY RETURNED TO CHINA AS ONE OF THE ALLIES SHOULD NOT SUFFER THE LOSS OF RIGHTS AND TERRITORY AS IF SHE WERE AN ENEMY EVEN THOUGH SHE DOES NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE ALL THE BENEFITS OF THE VICTORY WE EARNESTLY REQUEST YOU TO UPHOLD YOUR AVOWED PRINCIPLE OF JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS OUR DELEGATES HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO SIGN AWAY CHINA’S RIGHT OR TERRITORY THEIR SIGNATURE WILL BE CONSIDERED NULL AND VOID BY THE PEOPLE WHO HEREBY REGISTER WITH YOU THEIR VIGOROUS PROTEST CHIHLI CITIZENS CONVENTION
[Stamp – translated from French]:
Chinese delegation
Peace Conference
- Compare and contrast the three sources using this table.
| Who is writing it? | What is the main argument/s of the source? | What kind of language does the source use? | |
| Source 4a | |||
| Source 4b | |||
| Source 4c |
- What are the main differences and similarities between the sources? How does these reflect the authors of the sources?
- Which source do you think would have been most effective in changing the minds of the ‘Great Powers’ at the Paris Peace Conference? Why do you think all the arguments failed?