893.00/8175: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Paraphrase]
Peking, February 1,
1927—10 p.m.
[Received February 1—1:15 p.m.]
[Received February 1—1:15 p.m.]
105. Your 35, January 31, 1 p.m.
- 1.
- My opinion is that actually the message should be addressed to Chiang Kai-shek and Chang Tso-lin only. Its terms are directed [Page 68] to the military commanders and therefore should be communicated only in copies to the respective civil authorities for their information. Chang Tso-lin’s jealousy of the prerogatives he has as commander in chief of the Ankuochun is so sensitive that he would almost surely be offended if the message is addressed to Sun Ch’uan-fang and Chang Tsung-ch’ang, his subordinates. However, I suggest that authority be given me to have Sun informed orally by consul general at Shanghai when messages are actually sent.
- 2.
- Chang Tso-lin is in Peking now, so that it would be appropriate to have the Legation address him directly instead of sending the message through a consular officer as suggested in Department’s 35 [31], January 28, 3 p.m. That the message should also be addressed to Chiang Kai-shek by the Legation would follow therefore.
- 3.
- Contemplating possible difficulties in the message reaching Chiang Kai-shek, I suggest you publish it only when I have informed you that actual delivery of the message to him has been made.
MacMurray