File No. 893.00/2004.
The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.
Peking, October 13, 1913.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the inauguration of the regularly elected President of the Republic of China took place on October 10th in the Tai Ho Tien, or principal hall of the Manchu Palace. * * *
The arrangements made for the reception of the Diplomatic Corps were almost identical with those for an audience of the Emperor under the late dynasty. * * *
On the morning of the 10th instant at nine o’clock a mounted escort sent by the Ministry of the Interior appeared at the Legation and accompanied the entire staff of the Legation to the principal entrance of the Palace, the Tien An Men, or South Gate. We left our carriages here and the Chiefs of Missions were carried in green [Page 136] palace chairs three-quarters of a mile to the T’ai Ho Gate, followed by the staffs on foot. There we were met by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Lou Tseng Tsiang, recently the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who conducted us to the waiting room. * * *
At eleven o’clock we were conducted across the great court to the Hall of Ceremony where we were stationed in the northeast corner, to the left of the President. No seats were provided; everyone in the hall stood. * * * The President, escorted by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, as well as officers of the bodyguard, entered the hall from the rear door on the north and ascended the dais in the middle of the hall where until recently the Imperial Throne was placed. The dragon screen behind the throne was still in place, but draped with rainbow flags. An attendant placed a small table covered with red silk before the President, who stood facing the south. The Master of Ceremonies having handed the oath to the President, the latter read it. It was brief. Translated, it was to the following effect:
I hereby swear that I will most sincerely obey the Constitution and faithfully discharge the duties of the President.
The President then read an address, a translation of which is enclosed.1
I have the honor to call attention particularly to the following declaration contained in it:
I hereby declare that all treaties, conventions, and other engagements entered into by the former Manchu and the Provisional Republican Governments with foreign governments shall be strictly observed, and that all contracts duly concluded by the former governments with foreign companies and individuals shall also be strictly observed, and further that all rights, privileges, and immunities enjoyed by foreigners in China by virtue of international engagements, national enactments and established usages are hereby confirmed. This declaration I make with the view to maintain international amity and peace.
This declaration was inserted at the suggestion of the representatives of those Governments which had not recognized China previous to the recent election, and its insertion was the condition upon which their Governments agreed to give recognition. On October 6th, the day of the election, the promise to insert this statement in the inaugural address was given to the foreign representatives in a note, of which I enclose a copy.
At the conclusion of the address the Chinese officials present bowed three times, a salutation which was returned by the President, after which the shout of “Long live the Republic!” was given three times by the assemblage.
The President then withdrew and the Chinese officials also left the hall. The Diplomatic Corps was then conducted out through the easternmost opening of the southern doorway and brought back through the central doorway to the front of the dais. There we were arranged in legations, according to seniority. The President returned and the Dean2 read a congratulatory address, of which I enclose a copy and translation. This having been translated into Chinese, the President read a reply in his own tongue which was translated into French. Of this reply I have the honor to enclose an English translation.
[Page 137]Each Chief of Mission was then presented to the President and in turn introduced the members of his staff. The President then once more withdrew to the Pao Ho Tien, and the members of the Diplomatic Corps returned to the waiting room where they were served with refreshments.
While we were so engaged, Prince Pu-lun, representing His Majesty, the Emperor, presented to the President an address of congratulation. Congratulations were also offered by the Chinese high officials, after which the President went to the reviewing stand on the top of the T’ien An Men, whither we were all conducted. * * *
The celebration of this historic event lasted three days, as is customary with Chinese celebrations. The decorations and illumination began on the ninth and lasted throughout the night of the eleventh.
Telegrams were received by the President from all parts of the Republic and from foreign Chiefs of State. The people seem relieved to know that a permanent government has been established. Many families that fled from Peking in 1911 and 1912 are now returning to the city.
Confidence in the ability of the Government to maintain peace is increasing and it is to be hoped that, now that the wrangling over the Presidency has ended, the Government will be able to give its attention to the suppression of brigandage and piracy and the establishment of an efficient administration.
I have [etc.]