File No. 893.00/2877
The Chargé in China ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State
My September 4, 5 p.m.1 In spite of strong pressure brought to bear upon him by the military clique, President-elect Hsü is seeking to prepare the way for a reconciliation between the Northern and Southern factions. Through his influence the Peking Parliament is holding open the choice of a Vice President with a view to a possible compromise by which that office will be given to one of the Southern leaders. On the other hand, the Canton Government, while denying the legality of Hsü’s election by the Northern Parliament, is entirely well disposed towards him personally and is thought to be deferring the election of a President until some agreement has been reached by which the Southern Parliament will also elect him.
Among the proposals for reconciliation, which are being discussed more particularly by those who are connected with the President elect, that plan that now seems to be no doubt seriously considered is to arrange through intermediaries an understanding with the Southern leaders that both of the rival parliaments will be recognized as unconstitutional, the one because of its having exhausted its term and the other by reason of its having been elected and convened without constitutional warrant; both parliaments, however, to be recognized de facto to this extent, that a small number of delegates from each shall be convened to arrange for a settlement and to determine the laws under which the elections for a new parliament will be held.
In connection with this or similar proposals, the suggestion is freely made by those who are in close political relations with Hsü, that the negotiations for reconciliation would be greatly aided and the antagonism of the military faction made ineffective it, preferably at the instance of the United States, the Allied Governments would unite in advising that the Chinese factions compose their difficulties.
It is understood that Premier Tuan has assured Hsü of his readiness to retire upon latter’s assumption of office but certain of his adherents are even reported to be attempting to intimidate Hsü in order to avoid a political settlement by which the military element would lose its influence. They are understood to be planning to force the election of Tuan as Vice President in which case they would endeavor to make the presidency untenable for Hsü as for Li and for Feng before him and in that event it is not unlikely that the restoration of the monarchy would prove to be the resultant of forces.
- Not printed.↩