893.00/10293

The Consul at Mukden ( Myers ) to the Minister in China ( MacMurray )21

No. 178

Sir: In compliance with the Legation’s telegraphic instruction of January 8, 1929, directing this office to prepare a report regarding general conditions in this consular district, I have the honor to submit a report on the lines as indicated.

General Conditions

Recent reports from this office have, it is believed, given a fairly accurate picture of existing conditions. The importance of the events of the past four weeks cannot be gauged at present, for no changes worthy of note have resulted therefrom. The adoption of the Nationalist flag and the declaration of allegiance to the Nanking Government although effected by a compromise which is expected to prove advantageous to both parties, the local and Nationalist Governments, [Page 133] may have far different consequences. Chang Hsüeh-liang’s relations with the Nanking Government may probably be more properly described as an alliance with Chiang Chieh-shih.22 Likewise, the elimination of the two most powerful and probably able members of the Fengtien Party, namely Yang Yu-t’ing and Ch’ang Yin-huai, although strengthening the position of the existing head of this territory for the time being, may later result in the breakup of that party through internal or external agencies. The arbitrary and intolerant attitude of the radical elements in the Nationalist Party and their growing influence are an ever present source of danger in spite of the determination of the local Government to prevent their gaining a foothold in this territory. Too, the special position of Manchuria vis-a-vis neighboring countries and the existence therein of extensive foreign interests further complicate the situation.

General conditions in this consular district may be described as satisfactory. Banditry is apparently far less prevalent than during the winter of 1927/28. Last year’s crops were good and general prosperity prevails. Outwardly, at least, the Fengtien Party which controls the Three Eastern Provinces and Jehol is closely united under the leadership of Chang Hsueh-liang who is believed to be more interested in the development of the resources of these provinces than in playing politics south of the Great Wall. Whether or not the General can maintain his position as the head of a united party remains to be seen, but his conduct of affairs since the death of his father, Chang Tso-lin, has been a surprise to many persons. As an indication of the growing centralization of authority in these provinces, it may be said that General Chang recently appointed his chief secretary, Cheng Ch’ien, as directing head of the important Communications Commission, vice Ch’ang Yin-huai, and established departments in his headquarters to take charge of Nationalist party affairs, various revenue matters, etc. On the other hand, General Chang Tso-hsiang, military and civil head of the Kirin Government and the most influential member of the conservative or old wing of the party, is now in a very strong position owing to the elimination of Yang Yu-t’ing and does not brook much interference in the affairs of his province. He is without doubt the most influential member of the Government. However, it is said that this branch of the party looks in a way upon the Chang family as the hereditary rulers of the Three Eastern Provinces and consequently regards Chang Hsüeh-liang as the rightful successor of Chang Tso-lin.

A number of superficial changes have recently taken place in the Government in compliance with instructions from Nanking. On January 12th Chang Hsüeh-liang assumed the title of Chief Commander [Page 134] of the Northeastern Frontier Army and Chang Tso-hsiang and Wan Fu-ling of Vice Commander. The Fengtien Provincial Government Commission also completed its organization and entered upon its duties on that date. The formal inauguration of the new government is not expected until the return of the Mukden delegation which was recently sent to Nanking. The main purpose of this delegation consisting of more than ten officials is, it is understood, to explain and discuss conditions in the Three Eastern Provinces to the high officials at Nanking and to make personal contacts with the personnel of that Government. The Chinese Eastern Railway question was supposed to be one of the matters to be discussed at Nanking but it has just been learned that at a conference yesterday the decision was reached to continue to recognize the 1924 agreements with the Soviets.23 Fang Pen-jen, the representative of Nanking, who has just arrived is reported to have participated in that conference.

Courts

As reported in my review for November, the Northeastern branch of the Supreme Court was formally opened at Mukden on November 21, 1928. Twelve judges were appointed for the Court which has been functioning since its establishment. No change in the status of the Court has been made and it is not known whether the Court will continue to function after the so-called reorganization of the Government is carried out.

It has already been officially announced that the laws promulgated by the Nationalist Government are now in force in this territory.

No other developments regarding the courts under civil control have come to the attention of this office.

Several incidents may be of interest in connection with the administration of justice. It will be remembered that under date of November 24, 1928, this office reported the severe beating of a Chinese servant by the police in connection with his examination. It was also pointed out that this is the common method of extracting evidence, the severity of the beating being in proportion to the length of the examination and the nature of the offence which is supposed to have been committed.

The shooting of Yang Yu-t’ing and Ch’ang Yin-huai without a trial in the reception room of the Commander-in-Chief’s residence and by his order shows how lightly regular judicial procedure is held by the highest Chinese officials when their own interests are [Page 135] at stake or in jeopardy. After the death of these men, it may be added, court martial proceedings under Chang Hsueh-liang as chief judge were held for the purpose of giving an appearance of legality to the executions. These proceedings were probably taken with a view to influencing foreign opinion more than native, as the Chinese generally do not consider General Chang’s course of action as unusual in view of the circumstances. Justification is apparently found in the great power wielded by these men and the personal danger to which General Chang himself would have been exposed had they been arrested and held for trial.

The arrest by the Police Department of T’ao Chang-ming and An Hsiang, two Chinese officials, at the behest of Yang Yu-t’ing was mentioned in my political review for December.24 No charges were ever preferred against them during their imprisonment of over 40 days and were Yang alive today they would probably be still in prison.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Situation and Future Prospects of Nationalist Government

The recent hoisting (on December 29, 1928) of the Nationalist flag in the Three Eastern Provinces betokens a closer relationship with the Nationalist Government than heretofore. However, for the present, at least, this territory is to enjoy a wide degree of autonomy, foreign affairs, according to reliable information, being the only department of Government to come under the direction or influence of Nanking. How much control over this department it will have is not yet clear, but doubtless this Government willingly will hand over all perplexing negotiations of an important nature. Whether or not the Japanese Government will assent to this will perhaps be greatly influenced by the relations between it and the Nanking Government.

A perplexing development is, in my opinion, the apparent intention of the Chief Commander’s office to interfere with the administration of the post office and maritime customs in this territory. The issuance of a circular instruction addressed to the various revenue collection offices including post offices and custom houses that they should prepare to hand over to the Chief Commander’s office all surplus revenues after December 1st, was reported in my confidential despatch No. 163, of December 28, 1928.24 It has just been learned that a second order has been issued under the signature of General Chang Hsueh-liang to these offices directing them to submit a statement of their surplus funds together with a budget for the year, list of employees, etc. That the Nanking Government will endeavor to oppose the execution of this order is to be expected and must be [Page 136] realized by this Government. As Mukden has just acknowledged, at least, nominal allegiance to the Nanking Government this attempt to interfere with these Central Government organizations is inexplicable and confusing. In my political review for December the opinion was expressed that the original order had probably been issued for local political reasons but it now transpires that that was not the case. Taken at its face value, it appears to be a serious attempt to encompass the disruption of the unified customs and postal administrations at the very commencement of the long sought for customs autonomy.

Owing to the many factors involved, it is impossible to express an opinion as to the growth of the influence of the Nationalist Government in this region. However, it possibly is safe to say that if the conservative wing of the Nationalist Party remains in power and is able to strengthen its control in China proper its influence in these provinces will gradually increase.

Danger From Radicalism

That the Government intends to keep out of this territory as far as possible communist and radical elements and to suppress any peace disturbing movements seems to be sufficiently indicated by its past attitude and by the recent order that all Nationalist party offices can only be established with the approval of the Chief Commander’s headquarters, in which a special department has been created to take chargé of such matters. It would seem that the intention is to prevent professional agitators and members of the Kuomintang from other parts of China from forming organizations for subversive purposes and also to keep a record of all party organizations and their membership. Japan’s determined stand against radicalism and attitude toward disturbances in this territory are factors which should tend to minimize the danger from radicalism.

Recrudescence of Civil War

As far as this Government is concerned, it is generally believed that no desire exists to be involved in civil wars. Although entertaining no aggressive designs, it will maintain full control over its armies and will itself determine if further reduction of its forces is feasible. The continued large scale operation of the arsenal signifies that it proposes to be prepared for all contingencies. The opinion appears to be very general that a recurrence of civil warfare in China proper is unavoidable in view of the jealousies and ambitions of rival leaders and the weakness of the Nationalist Government.

I have [etc.]

M. S. Myers
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department without covering letter; received February 19, 1929.
  2. Also known as Gen. Chiang Kai-shek.
  3. See Foreign Relations, 1924, vol. i, pp. 495501, 510511. For correspondence relating to Sino-Russian dispute regarding the Chinese Eastern Railway, see pp. 186 ff.
  4. Not printed.
  5. Not printed.