File No. 893.00/2363
Minister Reinsch to the Secretary of State
Peking, February 24, 1916.
Sir: In continuation of my despatch No. 947 of yesterday’s date, I have the honor to enclose further correspondence.2 In these communications rumors with respect to Japanese activities encouraging the revolutionary movement are mentioned: such rumors and detailed facts pointing in the same direction are reported from all parts of China. They take many forms.
[Page 62]The Chinese have especial reason to complain of the unfounded and exaggerated statements which are constantly being sent out through the Japanese press: such are the statements of extended disaffection in Kirin Province mentioned in the enclosed despatch (No. 113) from the Consulate-General at Mukden.2 Similar alarmist reports, largely unfounded, are sent through Japanese sources from all parts of China; from Peking, palace revolts and apoplectic strokes of the emperor-elect are the normal order of the day. Rumors are also spread designed to undermine the credit of the Chinese banks, as described in the enclosed article from yesterday’s Peking Daily News.2
In all parts of China revolutionary agitators are taking advantage of Japanese extraterritorial communities and of the hospitality of Japanese to find a safe refuge from which to manipulate their agitations. It is also believed that large amounts of money are supplied from Japanese sources, although there is no proof of this. As the Japanese have so much to gain from disturbances and unrest in China, it is quite natural that public belief should credit them with widespread and active intrigue, for which, indeed, past experience offers precedents and towards which a large number of isolated details point.
I beg also to enclose copies of articles, published in the Peking Gazette of February 22 and 24,2 concerning activities in the disaffected provinces.
I have [etc.]