File No. 893.00/1832.
The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.
Peking, July 29, 1913.
Sir: Since my report of July 18th1 upon the political situation, the position of the Central Government has improved considerably: * * *
The leaders of the insurrection have been disappointed in their expectation that all the provinces south of the Yangtze would join them. So far but six provinces have shown any such disposition and some of these give but a half-hearted support. The six are: Kuang-tung, Fukien, Kiangsu, Anhni, Kiangsi, and Hunan. * * *
Had the leaders won any important victories, perhaps they would have found more support, but the present condition of affairs points to an early collapse of the whole movement. Should this prognostication, however, prove to be correct, the situation will be most serious. Lack of harmony between the provinces and the capital will still remain; bitter hatred of Yuan Shih-k’ai will still exist, and bankruptcy, leading to foreign intervention will be nearer than ever.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩