File No. 893.00/2418
Vice Consul Josselyn
to Minister Reinsch
[Extract]
American Consulate General,
Canton,
April 24, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
copy, together with translation of a circular telegram addressed to the
various Consuls from the Tutus of the four
southern provinces. This telegram was received at this office on April
21.
Owing to the fact that the troops and gunboats in the interior have been
recalled to Canton in order to strengthen the defence of the city, a
great many of the outlying districts have been in the hands of the
so-called “People’s Army.” As the junks have stopped plying, the supply
of rice has been cut off in many places in the interior. Lately,
expeditions have been sent to several points and engagements have taken
place between the soldiers and the People’s Army. Kongmoon, which was
taken by the People’s Army several days ago, has now been recaptured by
the forces of General Lung after a considerable engagement.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure—Translation]
The Tutus of Yunnan, Kweichow,
Kwangsi and Kwangtung to the foreign Consuls
We have the honor to state that since the various honorable countries
have extended their recognition to the Chinese Republican
Government, it has always been the business of their honorable
Diplomatic representatives residing in Peking to cement friendly
relations with our respective countries, for which both our army and
civilians are one and all highly grateful. It happens that now Yuan
Shih-kai, our former President, owing to his attempt to commit a
treason, has lost his status of President. Although the monarchical
form of Government has now been renounced, nevertheless this does
not exonerate him from the crime which he had already committed. As
representatives of the army and civilians, we, Tang Chi-Yao and
others, pursuant to the law governing the election of President
passed and promulgated by the National Assembly in September of the
second year of the Chinese Republic, formally announce that we
respectfully recognize Mr. Li Yuan-hung, the Vice President, to be
the President, concerning which a general announcement has already
been made. However, inasmuch as President Li has been confined in
the midst of our enemy and is unable to obtain his own freedom, and
as it takes some time before we can have Peking settled down, (we
beg to say that) in addition to a separate announcement to be made
by this military government, all the movement and discussion made by
President Li will only become effective when he has got rid of the
tyrannical influence of Yuan Shih-kai. As Yuan Shih-kai has been
bold enough to commit treason, it is not improbable that he may
commit a crime by maliciously doing harm to the head of our party.
In view of the fact that the various honorable diplomatic
representatives have always given due weight to righteousness and
justice and the promotion of national friendship, we venture to
despatch this special telegram earnestly soliciting that you may be
pleased to watch the action which is taken towards our President Li
by Yuan Shih-kai and his confederates, the public traitors, and to
take such steps as may be necessary to safeguard the life of the
former and to assist him to regain freedom and for this magnanimity
both our army and civilians will be ever thankful. We, Tang Chi-yao
and others, acting in our private intercourse, candidly
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crave for this assistance
and trust this appeal will receive your favorable consideration. We
beg to add that as it is to be feared that telegrams to Peking may
be detained, we, therefore, despatch this to the honorable Consuls
at the various ports for transmission.
With best compliments.
Tang Chi-yao
,
Tutu of Yunnan
Liu Hsien-shih
,
Tutu of Kweichow
Lu Yung-ting
,
Tutu of Kwangsi
Lung Chi-kwang
,
Tutu of Kwangtung
