893.00/4470: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 17—10:19 a.m.]
267. Representative of Wu Pei-fu and Chang Tso-lin conferring upon terms of settlement at Chinwangtao, armistice having been arranged.
[Page 719]Chen Chiung-ming’s troops seized Canton early morning of 16th declared against Southern Government and for old Parliament, Sun escaped.
Commander Simonds dined with Wu Pei-fu 15th at Paoting. Wu did not regard Chang’s further resistance as important. Enthusiastic about unification and considered present Government useful institution to that end. Indication of understanding with Chen Chiung-ming.
At a dinner given by me last night in honor of delegates to Washington Conference with guests half American, half Chinese, Koo and Wang in informal speeches said Conference had done far more than was expected for China, had accomplished in fact all that any international conference could possibly accomplish and that China’s success was attributable to sympathy and cooperation of American Government and people for which speakers expressed gratitude. Wang impressively declared China must herself finish the good work. Chow Tzu-ch’i, chief adviser, was called on for a speech but excused himself on the ground that advisers spoke only in private. I read telegrams with above news from Canton and Chinwangtao and interpreted the President’s message as indicating hopeful progress in pacification and reunification.