123 M 221/129: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State

186. 1. Department’s 93, May 9, 8 p.m. and previous correspondence interpreted to mean that new American Minister will present letters of credence thereby evidencing recognition by United States of Tuan regime as de jure Government of China.

I respectfully submit preferable not to accord such recognition.

2. Tuan regime has been from beginning and continues to be avowedly transitional, designed to function only pending establishment of formal government, and it has been so scrupulously treated by all Legations, with exception noted in my 174, April 27, 1 p.m. Despite Lincheng payment51 and gold franc settlement, Tuan regime has not actually advanced toward permanency, continuing to exist not through any inherent strength but solely because neither Chang52 nor Feng53 has cared to displace it; an affair of day-by-day compromise. [Page 633] On April 24th by mandate Chief Executive promulgated regulations for citizens’ conference, first article reading in part “The Provisional Government for the purpose of making a constitution hereby convenes a conference of the representatives of the people”; thus form of future de jure Government as well as date of its establishment conjectural. Quite probable citizens’ conference will prove ineffectual as was reorganization conference but its convocation is further evidence that even Tuan and Chinese themselves consider his regime only provisional.

3. In the circumstances I respectfully suggest advisable to treat this anomalous state of affairs accordingly, consonant with interpretation of Department’s point of view expressed in paragraph 2 of my 181, May 6, 4 p.m., and to address new Minister’s letters of credence to Chief Executive of Provisional Chinese Government who actually exists rather than to President of the Republic of China who does not exist thus squaring our action with the facts and avoiding recognition of unstable transitional Tuan regime as de jure Government of China.

4. I respectfully request to be informed by telegraph of Department’s decision in above regard and authorized to acquaint colleagues concerned therewith. Responsive to courteous cooperation of French and Belgian Ministers in question at issue, I suggest likewise that French and Belgian Embassies at Washington be so informed.

Mayer
  1. See Foreign Relations, 1923, vol. i, pp. 631 ff.
  2. Chang Tso-lin, commander in chief of the Manchurian forces and virtual ruler of Manchuria.
  3. Feng Yu-hsiang, commander in chief of the Peoples’ Army and director general of the Northwest Frontier Defence.