anctity of international law"?

Besides the note to Germany, China transmitted a note to the United
States. This was addressed to Dr. Paul S. Reinsch, American Minister,
etc., to Peking:

Your Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of Your Excellency's Note of the 4th of 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 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 countries 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 of America, 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 future as will be deemed necessary
for the maintenance and principles of international law.

Again I marveled at the lofty tone of this note, and wondered how this
moral strength had been so suddenly acquired. Thought I to myself, can
this be poor old browbeaten China,--humbled and prostrate before the
powers of Europe, unable to protest when her territory is snatched
away from her,--now suddenly giving voice to these exalted ideas?
Does it not seem rather ludicrous that she should suddenly proclaim
herself the upholder of international law? Like Moses of old, she is
now stretching forth her arms; but who are they who uphold those arms?
These solemn notes are given forth to the world, and the world is
asked to believe sincerely, as China herself states, that they were
"dictated purely by the desire to further the cause of the world's
peace and by the maintenance of the sanctity of international law."
Let us believe it, if we can.

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