File No. 893.00/263
Minister Reinsch to the Secretary of State
Peking, July 1, 1917, noon.
The Monarchist restoration movement, always present in the background; has suddenly become overt. Taking advantage of the general disorganization of Government the monarchist group under Hsu Shih-Chang, Chang Hsun, Kang Yu-weri, through Chief of Staff and General of Gendarmerie at 2 a.m. this morning initiated a coup d’état by calling upon the President to resign in favor of the Emperor. The President stated his readiness to resign but in favor of the Vice President. The indications are that a restoration will be carried out; that it will have the support of the Northern military, but the South will oppose and secede.