File No. 893.001Y9/15

The Chinese Minister to the Secretary of State

Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform you that His Excellency Yuan Shih-Kai, President of the Republic of China, died at Peking on the morning of the 6th instant at 10 o’clock, Vice President Li Yuan-hung, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic, assuming the duties of the high office and acting as President—who will formally take the oath of office as President on the morning of the 7th instant at 10 o’clock.

In communicating to you this sorrowful intelligence,

I avail [etc.]

Vi Kyuin Wellington Koo