File No. 893.00/1157.
[Untitled]
Peking, February 13, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to send inclosed copies in duplicate of translations of three notes1 received last night from the Chinese Government.
The first is from the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the former Imperial Government communicating the imperial edict which vests sovereignty in the people and empowers His Excellency Yuan Shih-kai, the Premier, to organize a provisional republican government. The second is from His Excellency Yuan Shih-kai, plenipotentiary for the organization of the provisional government, inclosing the terms agreed upon with respect to the treatment of the Imperial family and of the edict accompanying the same; and the third is from His Excellency Hu Wei-te, Chief of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government, informing me that the members of the former Cabinet, by order of the plenipotentiary, will for the present retain their portfolios.
These documents are of profound significance, marking the close of the Ta Ch’ing Dynasty and the rule of the Manchus, and ushering in a new era whose character is yet to be determined, but which will undoubtedly be marked by the return of the Chinese to the control of their country.
We are now confronted by a situation of extreme delicacy, which calls for the exercise of great forbearance on the part of the representatives of the two Provisional Governments. Only if real unselfish patriotism be manifested can the questions at issue be settled speedily and without further conflict.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩