893.00/5701: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
425. My telegram 417, October 29, 6 p.m.16
- 1.
- Presidential mandate October 31st, state[s] all former Cabinet Ministers excepting Huang Fu, Minister of Education, have submitted their resignations which are accepted. Huang Fu is appointed concurrently Acting Premier and Minister of Communications. Other new appointments are C. T. Wang, Minister for Foreign Affairs, concurrently Minister of Finance. Although latter’s relations with Kuomintang have been strained by the service with Chihli Party, he may still be considered member of Kuomintang and a politician of radical and some say Soviet tendencies. Minister of the Interior is Wang Yung-chiang, now Civil Governor of Fengtien, who is hardly likely to take post. Minister of War is Li Shucheng, Kuomintang, not prominent heretofore. Minister of Marine Tu Shi-Kwei, evidently appointed in attempt to secure allegiance to the Navy. Minister of Justice Chang Yao-tseng has had post previously, member of Ch’eng Hsueh Shi [Hui?] Party composed of progressive men but not influential. Minister of Agriculture and Commerce Wang Nai-pin has had post previously, member of Fengtien Party. Huang Fu is Kuomintang, formerly Minister for Foreign Affairs. …
- 2.
- I doubt if this Cabinet possesses element of strength or permanence although C. T. Wang has formulated admirable plans for national improvements in all directions and professes desire for foreign cooperation economic and otherwise. Government departments at present exist in name only, control of Peking being in the hands of the military.
- 3.
- C. T. Wang told me October 31, noon, Chang Tso-lin’s troops had Lutai near Tangku and that Yangtsun was invested by Feng Yu-hsiang’s forces.
- 4.
- Hsu En-yuan yesterday stated to Chinese secretary that due to confused situation it was uncertain when Tuan Chi-jui would come to Peking.
- 5.
- Attitude of provincial leaders toward Feng Yu-hsiang still generally noncommittal. Military Governor Shangtung has declared he will try to prevent reinforcements reaching Wu Pei-fu from south and is apparently so acting. The public does not feel optimistic in regard to Feng’s plan for national conference of heterogeneous political leaders to determine future of the country and the possibility exists that another long period of provincial discord has been initiated.
Mayer