893.001 T 78/4: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:35 p.m.]
345. Sun Yat-sen telegraphs dean of the diplomatic corps nation opposed to Tsao Kun because he is illiterate, looted Peking 1912, mainly responsible for Lincheng outrage and especially because illegally and corruptly elected. Says Chinese people regard Emperor [sic] as treason and usurpation and their representative leaders are now forming “a National Government”.
Last paragraph follows:
“I have to request foreign powers and their representatives in Peking to avoid any act which could be construed by new Peking usurper as an intimation or assurance of international recognition and support. The foreign recognition of Tsao Kun would perpetuate internecine strife and disorder and would be envisaged by Chinese people as a frustration of their declared will regarding an act which cuts at moral fiber of the national character.”
Sun Yat-sen’s own position is almost desperate. Supported by Yunnan troops who control him, unpopular in Canton on that account and also on account of oppressive tariff law and levies and sales of temples and other semi-public property, unable to overcome Chen Chiung-ming, he does not control the whole of Kwai-ping [Kwangtung?], has no jurisdiction over any other province and has little beyond his personal prestige to support him.
Chang Tso-lin told me last month with great bitterness that Tsao Kun’s election would be to China [apparent omission]. He would doubtless like to see it upset but his present policy as he assured me, and I believe, is to confine his activities to Manchuria. He would however give moral support to Sun Yat-sen’s opposition.
[Page 520]As to the Anfu leaders Tuan Chi-jui and Governor Lu Yung-hsiang of Chekiang, the former has no military forces and the latter will be held up by Governor Chi Hsieh-yuan of Kiangsu.
Other leaders with troops are too far away and not important enough to count.
Chihli Party which at present is a unit in support of Tsao Kun controls everything from the great wall to the Yangtze and some provinces beyond. Tsao’s greatest danger apart from impossibilities of his task are the rivalries within his own party.
In connection with Sun Yat-sen’s manifesto I have the honor to refer to my 321, September 22, 1 p.m.24 Diplomatic body desires to act on Canton application as soon as Lincheng settlement has been effected.
[Paraphrase.] British Legation has been instructed that British Government wishes at all costs to keep Canton authorities from disrupting Chinese customs service. [End paraphrase.]