File No. 893.00/530.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Peking, June 5, 1911.
Sir: At the present time there are not lacking signs of a renewed and somewhat widespread discontent among the Chinese toward their Manchu rulers. This feeling seems to have arisen first from the evidence of the weakness of the Central Government in dealing with Russia and Japan over territorial jurisdiction in Mongolia and Manchuria, and with Great Britain in the Yunnan-Burma border delimitation dispute, and in the opium trade arrangements. The organization of the Provincial and National Assemblies offers the people a new method of voicing their discontent, from which they soon drift into an attitude of antagonism to the Central Government. For several months past rumors have been in circulation all over the Empire to the effect that the foreign powers were planning the partition of China. These rumors have been circulated by the native [Page 47] press and from mouth to mouth in all parts of the country with a persistency which suggests some organized activity with the intention of stirring up the people against foreigners and against their own Government. * * *
I have instructed those of our consuls who have reported to me on this general subject that they should take advantage of every opportunity to impress upon the Chinese officials that there is absolutely no foundation for the wild rumors current that China is to be partitioned among certain of the powers, and that the Chinese populace should not be allowed to proceed with any supposed defensive measures because of such rumors. I moreover instructed them that they might well impress upon all the local authorities with whom they came in contact the urgent necessity, for China’s own sake, that the public peace be preserved, and that with this end in view they might find it beneficial to join with their colleagues in the event or its being decided by the local consular body to take concerted action in adopting necessary measures to suppress effectually the circulation of any inflammatory literature and bring to an end this foolish movement, which is only calculated to deceive ignorant people to instigate riots and disturbances, thus endangering the lives and property of all foreigners, Americans included.
The movement to organize a militia among the people (kuo min chun) has for its ostensible motive the lending of assistance to the Central Government against the aggressions of foreign nations, but it is generally understood both by the officials and the people that such a militia, if organized, would be used to intimidate the Central Government and enforce any demands which might be made by the people. The Government is therefore very wisely discouraging the movement. * * *
The strong stand taken by the Central Government in regard to the construction and control of all the main lines of railway in the Provinces, the conclusion of foreign loans contrary to the wishes of the people, and the refusal to convene an extra session of the National Assembly for the discussion of the budget and loans, have exasperated the radical element of the people to an extreme degree. * * *
The Government is however paying no attention to the opposition of the people, but has issued a series of strong edicts announcing its determination to carry out unswervingly the policy adopted. The probable effect of this unwonted exhibition of firmness on the part of the Government will be that the opposition of the radicals will expend itself in violent speeches. The situation can easily become critical, however, so that it requires careful watching.
I have [etc.]