File No. 893.00/2733
Minister Reinsch to the Secretary of State
Peking, October 27, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for your information four despatches dealing with the political situation in disaffected provinces.4
The despatch from Canton (No. 45, of October 9) indicates that the southern military authorities have not yet taken up the so-called provisional military government organized under Sun Yat-sen. The acceptance of the post of Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs by Mr. Wu Chao-chu, would seem to indicate that the more responsible elements in China are ready to take some stock in the provisional government. Should the attempt of the provisional government to obtain funds be successful, the military leaders would undoubtedly be more ready to ally themselves with it. The despatch from Canton also indicates that the action of the southern military leaders is based not so much on opposition to General Fu Liang-tso but is animated by a general desire to escape the action of the Central Power in unifying military administration.
The despatch from Changsha (No. 171 of October 6) attributes the political confusion in that province to the constant desire of the provincials to have things their own way without interference from Peking; the Consul at Changsha therefore concludes that the previous authorities in Hunan are to be held responsible for the present unfavorable situation.
The despatch from Chungking (No. 49 of October 2) would seem to indicate that out of the inextricable confusion reigning in that province there is emerging a tendency of the forces at play to group themselves in a manner more favorable to the Peking Government.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩