File No. 893.00/1304.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Peking, May 7, 1912.
The present coalition Government is nominally in possession of 20 Provinces, under military governors the extent of whose submission to the central Government is problematical. The north and south are not yet well fused, but the only organized resistance is in Mongolia, [Page 79] Kanush, Turkestan and Thibet. There is acquiescence but not hearty support on the part of the wealthy and educated, and the real will of the mass of the people is not known. The National Council cannot therefore be considered representative. The Government was established by the political manoeuvers of a few, not by general demand of the people. But it is the only government in sight, and recognition would strengthen its hold on the country, particularly if given by concerted action of the powers.