File No. 893.00/2915
The Minister in China (
Reinsch) to
the Secretary of State
[Extracts]
No. 2321
Peking,
November 8, 1918.
Sir: I have the honor to forward for your
information newspaper reports and articles dealing with the matter
of reconciliation and peace in China.
The congratulatory telegram of the President of the United States to
President Hsü Shih-ch’ang on occasion of the latter’s succession to
office and particularly the reference therein to the desirability of
peace in China has made a great impression upon both officials and
the public. At first the militarists seemed desirous of preventing
currency of this telegram but they later fell in with the tendency
of the times and expressed themselves in appreciative terms of the
President’s good advice. There are herewith enclosed copies of the
translation of President Wilson’s message into Chinese as it was
posted publicly in all parts of China. …1
On October 24, President Hsü Shih-ch’ang issued a peace mandate,
translation of which is herewith enclosed. On October 28 it became
known that the Japanese Government, too, was in favor of friendly
mediation.
[Page 118]
The civilian leaders residing in North China formed two peace
associations in which the most prominent men of all parties
participated.
In my first conversation with President Hsü Shih-ch’ang on October
18, the President stated that it was the central principle of his
policy to bring about peace but that he was worried as to the
financial support of the Government during the period of negotiation
and demobilization.
In my second conversation with him, on October 31, he explained his
plan as he had developed it at that time; he stated that a
discussion of the matter on the basis of the legality of Parliament
would affect only the civilian leaders. He had therefore decided to
enter into negotiations with the military leaders of the South and
was in hopes that an arrangement could soon be arrived at. General
Li Shun, of Nanking, had been asked to mediate. Provisions would
have to be made to give the Southern leaders offices and support for
their troops. When an agreement of the military leaders had been
secured, it would then be easy to settle the constitutional
question. Opinions as to the wisdom of this course differ but as the
militarists are in control on both sides they cannot be entirely
ignored. The danger is that the President will be drawn too much
into the militarist intrigue with the result of still farther
increasing the influence of that class.
On the whole a feeling of real hopefulness prevails among the
Chinese; they think that peace is now obtainable and they draw great
comfort from the changed international situation due to the defeat
of the Central powers.
Various articles concerning President Wilson’s congratulatory
telegram and the peace movement in China are hereto attached.1
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
Extract from the “Peking Leader” of October
26, 1918—President Hsü Shih-ch’ang advocates peace
The following mandate advocating peace was issued late on
Thursday night by President Hsü Shih-ch’ang:
The European war has seriously affected the political
situation of this country and greatly shaken the whole
world. The existence of a nation does not depend merely
on military force; it is international peace that will
in the future guarantee the welfare of the human race.
The President of the United States in his many speeches
has clearly set forth the principles of universal peace.
He is admired by the Government and people of this
country. The tendency of the world is such that most of
the Allied powers are now assisting the United States
President to guide the world towards peace. Our object
in participating in the war against Germany and Austria
is to preserve humanity and uphold the international
law, so that eventually permanent peace may be restored
to the world. So long as this aim is not realized we
should unite ourselves to render material assistance to
the Allies. At this critical juncture of the world’s
affairs I have been elected President of the country. I
feel it incumbent upon me to make a careful study of the
situation of the world in order to draw up plans for
reorganization.
[Page 119]
The European war has been going on for several years. The
peoples against whom the Allies are fighting are our own
enemies, and the principle we are fighting for is
righteousness. But in spite of this fact peace proposals
have been made to our Allies by the common enemies. Now
all the provinces of their [sic]
country are under one unified Government. Though the
southwestern provinces may hold different political
views from the others, the glory or disgrace of the
nation affect them as much as they affect other
provinces. Therefore, they should not separate
themselves from the other provinces. In reality there is
no distinction between North and South; hence no
boundary of any kind should be drawn to separate them.
All those who have perished in the present civil
struggle are our own brethren and what has been wasted
in the form of military supplies all came from our own
flesh and blood. This internecine strife has done
nothing good to the country but has considerably shaken
the foundation of the Republic. To me there is no reason
why we should not remove our private prejudices for the
benefit of the people at large. By doing so we can
strengthen the foundation of the country and alleviate
the sufferings of the people. The advantages and
disadvantages must be apparent to every sensible
man.
It is to be admitted that the Central Government should
deal with the nation frankly; but at the same time it
should be remembered it is often difficult for the
Government to explain its sincerity to all the people.
This is best illustrated by the recapture of Changsha
and Yochow. Suspicion must be removed while defensive
measures have to be adopted. Anyone who attempts to
disturb peace and order should be suppressed by every
means.
Now that the European powers are about to lay down their
arms it is an excellent opportunity for our country to
effect a reorganization. In order to work hand in hand
with the Allies for democracy we must first devote the
energy of the whole nation to introduce reforms in our
Government and develop industries. Even if we make
strenuous efforts now to attain that end we cannot be
sure that we are not already too late. Therefore how can
we afford to prolong the internal struggle? The civil
war has dislocated the machinery of Government; and
commerce and industries have been almost ruined. The
continuation of any of these conditions will cost us
very dearly. Apart from the critical external situation
I emphatically state that the present state of affairs
cannot be allowed to continue. I sincerely hope that my
brethren will unite themselves and abandon their
original plans of mutual destruction. First, the civil
war must cease; and the vitality of the country must be
preserved. Secondly, the administration must be
completely reorganized. Otherwise the future of the
Republic will be utterly hopeless.
The policy to be adopted by the Government shall be the
promotion of education and the development of
industries. But to carry out this policy satisfactorily
one must possess a knowledge of the conditions of the
world. Although our civilization reached a high standard
earlier than any other country we have made less
progress since. Therefore we have to introduce what is
good in the civilization of other countries into our
country to make good our deficiency. Rich as our natural
resources are, we are in need of capital to develop
them. Hence we have to rely on foreign capital for
assistance. Our country is the foundation of our
existence, but we have to follow the tendency of the
world if we wish to make progress, enlighten the people
and improve their economic conditions. In the same way,
if self-government of the people is properly developed,
the strength of the nation will increase. This is the
only way to preserve our old civilization and carry out
the principles of true republican government. I, the
President, do not fear to make my voice hoarse in
declaring to the nation my desire for peace, because I
earnestly think that eastern Asia should enjoy permanent
peace with the rest of the world. Now the general
situation in the country is not quite settled; above
everything else, protection should be given to the
people. The civil and military authorities in the
country who are responsible for the defense of the
localities under their respective jurisdictions should
observe the mandate issued some days ago to suppress the
bandits and maintain peace and order. As this is closely
connected with the welfare of the people they should not
neglect their duties, and all in office should bear my
words in mind.
