893.00/4153
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that for some time past there have appeared in the Peking Chinese press and in the Manchurian press articles to the effect that Chang Tso-lin, Inspecting Commissioner of the three Manchurian Provinces, is organizing a general foreign office which will handle the foreign affairs of the Provinces of Kirin, Heilungchiang and Fengtien and the three special Administrative Districts of Jehol, Chahar and Suiyuan. This Bureau of Foreign Affairs will act independently of the Peking Government. There is no confirmation of this report from official circles, and in fact the Consul General at Mukden reporting under date of October 11, 1921, stated that owing to opposition from the military governors of Kirin and Heilungchiang, the idea had been abandoned. However, it is perhaps significant to note that the posts of Tu-tung of the Special Administrative Districts of Chahar and Jehol are both occupied by Chang Tso-lin’s men, and an attempt is at present being made to get rid of the present Tu-tung of Suiyuan, Ma Fu-hsiang, and to replace him by one of Chang Tso-lin’s division commanders. If this is accomplished, Chang Tso-lin will control the Administration [Page 315] not only of the three Manehurian Provinces but of all the territory outside the Great Wall from Manchuria as far west as Kansu. …
I have [etc.]