893.51/4432 Supp.

The Secretary of State to President Coolidge

My Dear Mr. President: With reference to my letter of December 5, 1923, concerning the situation which has recently arisen at Canton, China, threatening the integrity of the Chinese Maritime Customs, I have the honor to inform you that at the present moment war vessels of the principal Powers are assembled at or in the vicinity of Canton for the purpose of obviating the seizure of the Customs at that port by the party headed by Sun Yat-sen. The latest telegraphic despatches from the Legation at Peking indicate that as yet Sun has taken no overt step in this direction; and the weight of opinion in China inclines to the view that he will not attempt to make such seizure by force in the face of the combined opposition of the foreign Powers. It is, however, not impossible that he may make some demonstration rather than calmly admit defeat.

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With this contingency in mind, the Consul General at Canton reported to the Legation at Peking on December 10 as follows:

“Canton: December 10, 6 p.m. Referring to your telegram of December 9, 3 p.m.,81 Have consulted British and French colleagues, also commander South China Patrol. We all agree that although we overestimated some overt act by Sun he should not be permitted to seize customs building. British consul general favors plan mapped out some years ago to place warship in front of the customs building and if Sun attempts forcibly to occupy, powers to land marines and occupy building themselves, meantime customs archives and funds to be transferred to premises French concession Shameen whence customs will continue function. I am in full accord with this plan although it may lead to armed clash because it seems more logical to prevent Sun seizing building than to attempt to dislodge him later.

“All information reaching me tends to show Sun will order customs commissioners to turn over surplus and upon commissioners refusing Sun will send his own appointee to demand possession. I doubt if Sun will go to extent of using force but he may do so because his financial position is desperate. In any event I believe struggle has just begun. Sun can use propaganda, boycott and strike if he does not try force.”

The above quoted telegram was transmitted by the Legation to the Department on December 1182 with the statement that the Legation was in accord with the views of the Consul General as outlined in the first paragraph of his telegram and with the request that the Department give its definite approval of this plan.

I concur in the views of the Consul General and of the Legation. Before, however, issuing instructions to this effect, I deem it advisable again to seek your approval, inasmuch as such instructions contemplate the possibility of our naval forces participating with those of the other foreign Powers in forcible measures in the event of overt action on the part of Sun.

Faithfully yours,

Charles E. Hughes
  1. Not found in Department files.
  2. Legation’s telegram not printed.