May 9, 1919

Wellington Koo [later Chinese representative on the League of Nations Council and ambassador in Paris and London] came in this morning. Talked for nearly an hour with the Colonel. I was called in to give my testimony as to the meeting. In the end Koo said: “If Peking orders me to sign the treaty, I will sign—otherwise not.”

“When the Japanese move out of Shantung bag and baggage, as they have promised to do, you will be the hero of the hour,” said the Colonel encouragingly.

“But I’ll be a dead hero,” answered Koo. “If I sign the treaty—even under orders from Peking—I shall not have what you in New York call a Chinaman’s chance.”

I thought this statement quite significant of the situation and passed it on to Moran and Starling of the Secret Service for their information.

“I am too young to die,” said Koo as he left us. “I hope they will not make me sign. It would be my death sentence.” [And he did not sign.]