893.00/3143
The Consul General at Shanghai (Sammons) to the Minister in China (Reinsch)50
Sir: I have the honor to report that the Northern Delegation to the Peace Conference is to leave tomorrow morning for Nanking and Peking, in accordance with the acceptance of their resignation by the Peking authorities.
In this connection, there has been considerable discussion with reference to the possibility of General Li Shun, at Nanking, being called upon to mediate between the North and the South.
On the other hand, however, many Chinese and foreigners feel that the Peace Conference has been a failure, and that, under the circumstances, little may be expected in that direction.
On the whole, foreigners feel that the Chinese have, in a general sense, failed to develop sufficient capacity for the adjustment of their internal troubles: and, in a more specific sense, it is felt that the Northern Military Party, with the backing of the Japanese, is proving too heavy a cross for China to carry. Obviously, therefore, the assistance of the Allied Powers is looked for as a last resort.
I have [etc.]
- Copy forwarded to the Department by the Consul General under covering letter of same date; received June 21.↩