Office of the Historian

893.00/5803: Telegram

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

Peking, November 29, 1924—6 p.m.
[Received November 30—10:10 a.m.]

459. Following on general situation.

1.
On November 27th Chang Tso-lin accompanied by the chiefs of his civil and military foreign departments and other officers [Page 402] called at the Legation in the diplomatic quarter. My conversation with him was of general nature. Incidentally Chang’s relations with the Central Government may be considered rectified by mandate issued by the Cabinet November 6th as follows:

“All mandates cashiering and ordering the arrest of officials for political actions as issued from July 29, 1920, to November 2, 1924, are hereby canceled.”

2.
I returned Chang’s call this afternoon and had a long and extremely interesting conversation with him which I will report fully by telegraph tomorrow. The principal burden of his remarks expressed with evident seriousness was the concern with which he viewed Bolshevik activities in China.
3.
Referring to the Department’s 295, November 26, 4 p.m. The diplomatic representatives yesterday called individually on Tuan. He expressed himself to me optimistically regarding unification and said he had just received a telegram from Wu Pei-fu stating that if those officials who formerly supported Presidents Yuan and Tsao and now announced their support of Tuan were sincere, he, Wu, would likewise support Tuan. I inferred the reference was to Chang Tsolin concerning whose genuine loyalty to Tuan there seems to be some doubt in Chinese public opinion. Tuan explained his present position as merely a temporary means of bridging over an interval and stated that while not desirous of returning to political life after his withdrawal therefrom in 1920 he had thought it his duty to sacrifice himself in order to unify the country. I took care to make it clear to an officer of the Wai Chiao Pu that my action in calling upon Marshal Tuan was in no sense to be interpreted as implying de jure recognition. I was informed that this was well understood. Admiral Tsai Ting-kan informed me most emphatically and in a manner which compels my belief in the sincerity of his statement that Marshal Tuan was much opposed to Soviet activities.
4.
I submit following comment on the Cabinet supplementing China Tear Book: An official of the Foreign Office informed me that it is practically certain Tang Shao-yi will not take up post of Minister for Foreign Affairs and that W. W. Yen is probable next appointee. Following Ministers are of Anfu Party: Finance, Interior, War. Minister of the Navy has been associated with Lu Yunghsiang and has Anfu affiliations. Appointment of Minister of Education seems designed to please Tang Chi-yao, Military Governor of Yunnan. Minister of Justice is reported to have been closely associated with Tuan lately and to have assisted in drafting his political announcements. Minister of Agriculture represents Kuomintang and Minister of Communications old Communications clique. Latter is privately considered representative of Chang Tso-lin but [Page 403] Chang denied any desire for representation in the Cabinet. Ministers Interior, War, Justice and Communications have assumed office.
5.
Feng Yu-hsiang has for the past few days apparently been trying to resign from the command of his troops and his other official duties. Mandate issued by Tuan November 27th while announcing this desire on Feng’s part, urges him in laudatory terms to retain his various posts. Difficult to know whether this is a question of face and whether Tuan and Chang Tso-lin really desire Feng to resign or whether Tuan and Chang are somewhat apprehensive of situation which would be created by resignation and Feng’s consequent release from his responsibilities as commander of his troops. …
6.
Repeated to Tokyo.
Mayer