893.51/4432: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p.m.]
379. My 276 [376] November 27, noon. Situation in Canton is deteriorating. Commander South China Patrol informs me Sun’s [Page 558] troops have driven back Chen’s forces and reoccupied Sheklung. Condition appears to be one of stalemate which may endure indefinitely. Sun is in desperate straits for money and all information available here from consular, customs and other official sources in Canton indicates he seriously contemplates seizing customs and not declaring a free port as he originally threatened. See Legation’s 321, September 22, 1 p.m.
Diplomatic body at meeting this morning resolved that they should inform Sun that customs surplus when automatically released at end of year passed out of their control and that they were not in a position to advise the Government of China as to what disposition should be made of it. I shall telegraph text of communication when finally adopted.
Possibility of Sun seizing customs on receipt of this communication or prior to its receipt being hardly [fully] recognized by the diplomatic body, dean was authorized to despatch today to senior consul at Canton (British consul general) the following telegram:
“The diplomatic body have been informed that Doctor Sun Yat-sen and the local government of Canton without awaiting a reply to the appeal which they had addressed to the dean for reconsideration of previous decision with regard to the allocation of the customs surplus have threatened to take over temporarily the administration of the Chinese Maritime Customs at Canton. The diplomatic body request that you will in your capacity of senior consul warn the local government of Canton that they are not prepared to admit any interference with the Chinese Maritime Customs and that in the event of any such attempt being made they will take such forcible measures as they may deem fit to meet the situation.”
[Paraphrase.] Your telegram No. 240 of November 30, 5 p.m. Yesterday the Ministers of France, Great Britain, Italy, and Japan and myself, acting as the representatives of the powers which have warships in Chinese waters, informally had a preliminary conference with the dean of the diplomatic corps for the exchange of views as to possible action should Sun Yat-sen attempt to seize the customs. My British colleague revealed that he and the British consul general at Canton some weeks ago had prepared a tentative scheme for the blockade of Canton and the prevention of all ships, both foreign and Chinese, from entering or leaving. This plan had in view the declaration by Sun Yat-sen of Canton as a free port and in view of the change in Sun’s intentions it was not passed. There were objections too numerous to list apart from the sufficient objection that the plan was not feasible. We also discussed the question of landing marines or sailors in advance so as to forestall any effort to seize the customs. This idea was abandoned, however, as it is reported that Aglen73 opposes it and [Page 559] it might be considered provocative by Sun Yat-sen and also give rise throughout China to charges of undue foreign interference. The Ministers of France, Great Britain, and Italy, and myself, strongly favored some kind of demonstration with the vessels now at Canton (British) or to be sent there at once (French and Italian). We favored placing such forces under the direction of the consular body, allowing the latter considerable latitude with respect to what action if any, except actual warfare, should be taken in case the customs were seized by Sun Yat-sen. My Japanese colleague in a speech expressed himself as being personally in favor of such a plan but said it would be necessary for him to obtain from his Government authority for such instructions to the Japanese vessels now at Canton or to be sent there. My British, French and Italian colleagues seem to fully possess such authority. I agreed to refer the matter to my Government.
The Ministers of France, Great Britain, Japan and Italy at a meeting today repeated the views set forth above.
I have conferred with the naval and military attachés. The latter was in Canton two weeks ago. They both approve of this plan. The naval attaché recommends the concentration of the Asheville and Pampanga (now at or near Canton) and possibly another vessel at Canton and the sending to Whampoa of perhaps four destroyers. Considering everything I recommend my agreement to the plan set forth above. Although I realize that it is open to objections, it is the best plan that can be devised here. I strongly feel that we should not permit the Southern customs to be lost without making an effort to prevent it. Short of war, I favor any measures to prevent what would mean inevitably the absolute breaking up of the Chinese Maritime Customs, on the revenues of which, as the Department is aware, we are dependent by treaty for the loan and indemnity payments. None of the foregoing has been communicated by me to our consul general at Canton, the commander in chief of the American Asiatic Fleet or the commander of the South China Patrol. I ask for full instructions as soon as possible and respectfully recommend that the foregoing plan be approved. [End paraphrase.]
- Sir Francis Aglen, inspector general of Chinese Maritime Customs.↩