893.00/7217: Telegram
The Minister in China ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State
Peking
,
March 22, 1926—7
p.m.
[Received March 22—2:15 p.m.]
[Received March 22—2:15 p.m.]
143. My 141, March 20, 5 p.m.11
- 1.
- Mandate was issued March 20th in deference to popular indignation at the numerous deaths on March 18, which, while insisting on guilt of the radical leaders and the justifiability in principle of the measures taken by the military and police, nevertheless directs the Ministry of the Interior to grant solatiums to any innocent persons injured and directs Ministries of War and Justice to investigate whether the measures taken were unnecessarily severe.
- 2.
- Ex-Premier Wang Shih-chen has issued a circular telegram proposing termination of hostilities roughly based on restoration of status quo before present war. On the 20th, leaders of Kuominchun issued circular telegram accepting Wang’s suggestion and announcing intention on the part of the Kuominchun to retire to the northwest. A responsible Kuominchun officer today at luncheon informed British Minister and me that this force had withdrawn from the conflict. I learn that orders for the withdrawal of fronts south and north of Tientsin were issued on the 19th instant. Troop withdrawals from these fronts have been continuous during the past two days. Whether the Paotingfu-Peking area will be evacuated entirely without struggle seems not yet determined but total evacuation Chihli Province seems probable. I am informed that Feng left for Urga for Europe on March 20th.
- 3.
- On March 18th a group of prominent ex-officials including Sun Pao-ch’i issued the text of a telegram to Governor Yen of Shansi and General Sun Ch’uan-fang, asking that they mediate in the war between Kuominchun and Chang-Wu alliance. Governor Yen has lately made threatening military dispositions on Peking-Hankow and Peking-Suiyuan Railways that probably had their part in bringing about Kuominchun withdrawal. Same group issued text of a circular telegram same date to leaders of both factions in the war urging them to compose their differences. Kuominchun leaders have issued text of reply acceding to the proposal in principle. Feng’s name not mentioned in lists of signers of telegrams.
- 4.
- The Cabinet submitted their resignations to Tuan on the 20th instant but the resignations were rejected. I consider nevertheless that a reconstitution of the Cabinet must necessarily take place before long. Only five members are functioning. Tuan will probably remain as for the present.
- 5.
- Please send to the War and Navy Departments.
- 6.
- Copy to Tokyo by mail.
MacMurray
- Not printed.↩