File No. 893.00/2683
Minister Reinsch to
the Secretary of State
No. 1549
American Legation,
Peking,
July 3, 1917.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for your
information copies of the edicts issued yesterday in the name of the
Emperor, Hsuan Tung, through which it was attempted to restore the
monarchy. The edicts are forwarded in translation as prepared by Dr.
Tenney, Chinese Secretary of this Legation. There are also enclosed
copies of the translation, printed in the Peking Daily
News of yesterday’s date, of all these papers including a
telegram from Chang Hsun and the reported interview with the same.
The coup d’état and attempted restoration appears
to be the single-handed work of General Chang Hsun. The cooperation
recited in the edicts and in the circular telegram, by way of memorials,
alleged to have been submitted by such men as President Li Yuan-hung,
Generals Feng Kuo-chang, Lu Yung-ting, Chang Hsun, Wang Shih-chen,
Chiang Chao-chung, and Chen Kuang-yuan, is either purely fictitious or
apparently based upon the hope that the men concerned will ratify the
act after the event or upon intimidating and overriding the men here
present. While no definitive account of this matter cam be given at this
early date, it would already seem that the personal action of General
Chang Hsun does not have the approval of the weighty leaders such as
General Tuan Chi-jui, Mr. Liang Chi-chao and Mr. Liang Shih-yi.
As there were exceedingly few plotters, the coup
d’état could be carried out suddenly like the act of an
individual. It is probable that the decision to carry through the coup at this time was taken within a day or two
before the event, giving only sufficient time to prepare the edicts.
General Chang Hsun, whose self-confidence has become enormous in
consequence of the lack of opposition to his self-assertiveness,
apparently decided with his most intimate advisers to go ahead, which
accounts for the fait accompli; but this
over-prominence of his personal action in the matter will probably turn
out to be the weakest point as it invites universal opposition.
There is also herewith enclosed a copy of a memorandum concerning the
action taken by the foreign ministers here with a view to safeguarding
the life of President Li.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure 1]
memorandum
Mr. Alston, British Chargé, called on me stating that the French
Minister had proposed that the Diplomatic Corps should, in the name
of humanity, address a warning to the de
facto authorities holding them responsible for the safety
of President Li Yuan-hung.
We proceeded to the house of the Dean, the Netherlands Minister,
where were also present the Russian, French and Japanese Ministers.
The above matter was brought up and it was agreed that, acting
concurrently for the belligerent and neutral Ministers, the Dean
should take the action indicated and call for
[Page 82]
that purpose on whomever might be in charge of
the Foreign Office this after-noon. It was also agreed that proper
reservation should be made to guard against any implication of
recognition of the monarchical Government.
The form of diplomatic correspondence was alluded to and it was the
consensus that diplomatic communications to the de
facto Government should be given the form of
memorandums.
The matter of the defense of the Legation Quarter, against
irresponsible attacks on the part of Chang Hsun’s troops came up and
it was agreed that the commandants should be in readiness to meet
any inroads, without taking any visible measures calculated to
disturb the public.
[Inclosure 2]
imperial edicts
The 9th Year of Hsüan T’ung, 5th
moon, 18th day.
Unfortunately We ascended the throne in our infancy and to our grief
we could not endure great hardship. At the outbreak of the
revolution in the Hsin Hai year (1911) the Ch’ing Empress Dowager
(Lung Yü), being benevolent and compassionate, could not bear to
witness the suffering of the people and so turned over the great
heritage of our ancestors and the myriads of her people to the
former Minister Yuan Shih-k’ai, allowing him to organize a
provisional government. She relinquished her powers of government
and treated the Empire as a public trust; hoping that strife would
cease and the people would live in peace. But from the time of the
change in the form of government, there was no cessation of strife,
but there was continual clashing of spears. There was oppression and
unjust exaction, and bribes were openly received. The annual income
increased to 400,000,000, but was insufficient. Foreign loans
increased to over 1,000,000,000 but there was no indication of a
limit being fixed. Within the seas there was no peace and the joy of
living was lost. So the abdication of the Empress Dowager, meant in
pity of the people, only added to their misery. This was just
contrary to the design of the Empress Dowager, and so the spirit of
the departed could not rest in peace. We, living in the recesses of
the palace, daily prayed to Heaven, in anguish and tears, not
knowing what the result was to be. Recently parties have been at
strife, so bringing on the calamity of civil war. The Empire was in
confusion with no hope of settlement. Harmony was immediately
lost.
Chang Hsün, Fêng Kuo-chang, Lu Yung-ting and others, because of this
trembling of the foundations of the nation, and because the minds of
men were turning toward the Old system, memorialized together for
the reestablishment of the monarchy, in order to save the lives of
the people. So also Ch’u Hung-chi and others, seeing that the
country was in a dangerous condition, and the minds of the people
unsettled, memorialized begging us to reascend the Throne and
administer the government, so satisfying both Heaven and men. Li
Yüan-hung also memorialized asking to turn over the government, for
the good of China and the salvation of the people. On the perusal of
these memorials, which were so earnest and full of forebodings,
although we hesitated to assume the heavy responsibility of the
welfare of the nation, we could not place our own comfort first and
ignore the welfare of all the people. After careful weighing and
consideration of duty to Heaven and to men, we had no alternative
but to consent to the memorialists. On the 9th year of Hsüan Tung,
the 5th moon, 13th day (July 1, 1917), we have ascended the Throne,
assumed the government, resumed our powers, and made this radical
change for the people. From now on we will make the wise teachings
of morality our guide. We will remedy the confusion of the people’s
minds by the influence of the principles of propriety,
righteousness, disinterestedness and shame. Those above and those
below will mutually influence each other, and there will not be the
mere fear of the law. The orders of the Government will be for
mutual benefit and the correction of abuses and the nation will not
be used for purposes of experimentation. At present all is
emptiness; the original spirit of government is lost, and we are at
the critical period of success or failure. We are timid and do not
dare to think of pleasure in acting as sovereign or to allow
ourselves any dissipation. All of you higher and lower officials
must purify your hearts, correcting all former faults, thinking only
of the welfare of the people. Thus, through care of the people, the
fortunes of the government will be preserved. Thus, destruction can
be averted, and the protection of Heaven secured.
[Page 83]
The fundamental principles of the new government with its aims in the
directions of conservation and change are as follows:
- 1.
- In accordance with the decree of the Empress Dowager Lung
Yu, ultimate authority shall rest with the Throne, but the
people shall have a voice in all the affairs of government.
The Government shall be styled the Ta Ch’ing Imperial
Government but will follow the forms of constitutional
government as practiced by other nations.
- 2.
- The revenues of the Imperial House shall remain at the
figure formerly fixed, viz, 4,000,000, which shall be paid
annually but never increased.
- 3.
- The former edict of the Imperial House shall be enforced
forbidding near relations of the Emperor from engaging in
governmental affairs.
- 4.
- The regulations abolishing the distinctions between
Manchus and Chinese shall be carried out and there shall be
no reestablishment of the Manchu and Mongol offices already
abolished. The matter of intermarriage and change of customs
shall be reported on by the proper bureau.
- 5.
- All treaties and loan agreements regularly made prior to
this 1st day of the 5th moon of the 9th year of Hsüan T’ung
shall be respected.
- 6.
- The stamp tax shall be abolished for the relief of the
people. Other vexatious taxes shall be carefully considered
by the viceroys and governors of the provinces and abolished
as found feasible.
- 7.
- All criminal laws which are contrary to the genius of the
Chinese shall be abolished. For the present the criminal
code published in the 1st year of Hsüan T’ung shall be
temporarily in force.
- 8.
- All those who were convicted of political offences under
the regulations forbidding party organizations are pardoned.
Those who renounce their allegiance or who promote disorders
we dare not pardon.
- 9.
- All the people may follow their own wishes as to cutting
hair in accordance with the edict of the 9th month of the 3d
year of Hsüan T’ung.
We swear to respect the above nine articles appealing to august
Heaven and the profound Earth, and now issue this edict for the
information of all.
Ninth Year of Hsüan T’ung, 5th Moon, 18th day
(July 1, 1917).
Li Yuan-hung has this day submitted a memorial requesting to return
the government of the country and praying that the Empire be
re-established. He states that he was coerced by a mutiny of troops
to steal the great office and to wrongfully take over the affairs of
state, without attempting to save the situation, and he sets forth
in detail all the malpractices which came in with the establishing
of the Republic, praying that the Empire be re-established and that,
to fulfil the wishes of the people, he be handed over for
punishment.
We were filled with pity at the perusal of this statement which was
put forth in all sincerity. Since he was only an accessory and did
not act of his own free will, and since in returning the government
he shows himself to know the right, in this time of national danger
and general disturbance he has been the first of Our people to
uphold Us. His work in settling China and saving it from destruction
has been of a high order and has pleased Us well.
Li Yuan-hung is created a Duke of the First class in accordance with
Our law, and will obey Our commands, thereby obtaining the favor of
Heaven.
Chang Hsün
Grand Secretary
[Note.—Numerous other edicts,
appointing Viceroys of Provinces, Cabinet Officers, etc., are
omitted here.]
