Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1912

File No. 701.9311/131.

The Chinese Minister to the Secretary of State.

Chinese Legation,
Washington, February 14, 1912.

Sir: I am instructed by my Government to inform you that the Emperor of China, by a decree dated the 12th of February, has formally abdicated the throne, and vested his excellency Yuan Shih Kai with full power to adopt and establish a republican form of government; and that pending the establishment of such a government the diplomatic and consular officers of China abroad are to continue in the discharge of their respective functions as representatives of China without interruption.

Accept [etc.]

Chang Yin Tang.