893.002/128: Telegram

The Minister in China ( Schurman ) to the Secretary of State

201. Entire Cabinet resigned yesterday afternoon and the Premier with his family left for Tientsin. The reason given is Presidential encroachment on the rights and privileges of a responsible Government. There were differences between the President and the Cabinet, [Page 508] but the Cabinet had also been opposed by Parliament, it had no funds to make the necessary settlements at the approaching dragon boat festival and it was faced with many other difficulties, including Lincheng outrage.13 Back of all other reasons, however, is the plan of Tsao Kun’s followers to force Li Yuan-hung out of the Presidency and put Tsao Kun in his place. The attacks on the Cabinet as a first move was expected by all well-informed observers at any time.

Schurman
  1. See pp. 631 ff.