CHINA MAINTENANCE OF A UNITED FRONT BY THE POWERS IN OPPOSITION TO THE THREATENED SEIZURE OF CUSTOMS AT CANTON-Continued Date and 1924 Oct. 25 (274) Oct. 26 (463) Nov. 8 Nov. 12 (1092) Subject From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Foreign Minister's statement that Japan attaches great importance to maintenance of integrity of Canton customs but would be inclined to join in a naval demonstration only as a last resort; his belief that the consular corps at Canton should address a vigorous protest to the Canton Government and that the powers should take positive measures only if the protest is disregarded; his opinion that because of the changed situation at Peking, Sun will probably not carry out his threat to seize the customs. From the Chargé in France (tel.) Information that the French attitude regarding maintenance of integrity of Canton customs had in no way been modified; that the French Government was prepared to oppose seizure and considered instructions given admiral last December would apply automatically at any recurrence of the situation. To the British Ambassador Information from the British Foreign Office that Sun is threatening seizure only of the native Canton customs, and that naval authorities consider there is no need for naval action at present. From the British Ambassador Information that the British representatives at Paris, Rome, Tokyo, and Lisbon, have been instructed to inform the Governments that, as the Canton Government apparently means to seize only the native customs, it is considered that joint naval action would have no value, and that the British representative at Peking is of the opinion that the Canton Government will await developments in North China before interfering with customs. Page 414 415 415 416 RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT AS THE "DE FACTO" GOVERNMENT OF CHINA 1924 Nov. 6 (272) Nov. 11 (439) To the Chargé in China (tel.) Request for comments upon the French suggestion, to which Belgium has assented, that the powers withhold recognition of the new Chinese Government with a view to forcing it to give satisfactory assurances of its readiness to fulfill its treaty obligations to the powers. (Instructions to repeat to Tokyo.) From the Chargé in China (tel.) Proposal, made at meeting of diplomatic body on November 5, by the French and Belgian Chargés, and concurred in by the Italian Minister, that chiefs of missions at their initial call upon the new Foreign Minister make reserves in respect of the new regime and that the powers obtain a guarantee from China to carry out its treaty obligations before recognizing the new President when elected. Statement of several Ministers, concurred in by U. S. Chargé, that they considered the present situation a Cabinet change and hence there was no need for raising the question of recognition. Chargé's opinion that the proposal of the French and Belgian Chargés was primarily a bid for diplomatic body's support in the gold franc case. 416 417 CHINA RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT AS THE "DE FACTO" GOVERNMENT OF CHINA-Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 Nov. 11 (277) Nov. 11 (291) To the Chargé in China (tel.) Department's desire to avoid any commitment as to status of the new regime at Peking, in view of the indeterminate situation; and preference that the Legation's de facto relations with the regime be as informal and infrequent as compatible with protection of U. S. interests. From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Information that, in reply to the French suggestion concerning withholding recognition of new regime in China, the Japanese Foreign Minister expressed the opinion that the regime was legally constituted and therefore the question of recognition did not arise. Undated From the French Embassy [Rec'd Suggestion that recognition of new regime in China be withNov.11] held with a view to forcing China to give satisfactory assurances of its readiness to fulfill its treaty obligations to the powers. Nov. 12 (279) Nov. 13 (445) Nov. 15 (294) Nov. 18 (479) Nov. 24 (434) To the Chargé in China (tel.) Information that on November 8 the French Ambassador confirmed the French suggestion and that the Secretary, in reply, had expressed the opinion that it was not wise to lay down a program to cover eventualities and that it seemed necessary to await developments; and that the same opinion had been expressed to the Italian Ambassador. (Instructions to repeat to Tokyo.) From the Chargé in China (tel.) Information that the Foreign Minister's notice of his assumption of duties received the customary replies from the diplomatic body; that the Foreign Minister's call was returned by all of them but they refrained from calling at the Foreign Office on the regular diplomatic day; that the diplomatic body generally considered the situation merely a Cabinet change; that the Acting Premier's reception, however, was canceled because the diplomatic body decided not to attend. From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Aide-mémoire from the Japanese Foreign Office to the French Ambassador (text printed) acquiescing in the French opinion regarding recognition of the new Government in China and in the importance of obtaining assurance of the fulfillment of international obligations. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Foreign Office statement that the British reply to the French Instructions to discuss with Foreign Minister the Secretary's 419 419 419 420 421 422 423 423 CHINA RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT AS THE "DE FACTO" GOVERNMENT OF CHINA-Continued Date and Subject Page To the French Embassy From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Information that the Foreign Minister is in absolute accord with the Secretary's views on the Chinese situation; that the Foreign Office intends to express similar views to the French in the near future; and that the British Minister at Peking has been instructed to urge upon the Chinese an early compromise with France on the gold franc controversy. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Japanese statement of views on the Chinese situation prepared at the request of the British Ambassador (text printed). To the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Authorization to inform Foreign Minister orally of Department's communications with the British and French Governments on the Chinese situation and to discuss the subject informally. (Instructions to repeat to Peking.) From the Chargé in China (tel.) Draft statement of representatives of the treaty powers (text printed) offering full support to the Provisional Government at Peking on understanding that the Government is legally constituted and intends to respect China's treaty obligations; also, offering reciprocal assurances that their Governments will proceed with carrying out of the Washington treaties and resolutions. Recommendation that the statement receive immediate approval. Possibility of another coup d'etat with the purpose of establishing a Soviet government in China. From the Netherland Minister Foreign Minister's opinion that the proposed statement of the representatives of the treaty powers will be considered as proof of weakness and will lead to no desirable result. Request for the Secretary's views. To the Chargé in China (tel.) Approval of proposed statement; and authorization to sign if all colleagues sign. Instructions to notify Department if any of his colleagues fail to sign, in order that the Department may take up the subject with appropriate governments. To the Netherland Minister Views on the Chinese situation. Hope that the Netherland Government will join in signing the proposed statement of the representatives of the treaty powers. 426 428 429 430 431 433 434 434 CHINA RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT AS THE "DE FACTO" GOVERNMENT OF CHINA-Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 Dec. 6 (474) Dec. 6 (303) Dec. 6 (440) From the Chargé in China (tel.) British Minister's authorization to sign the statement even without French concurrence. Chargé's request for similar authorization. Urgency for taking action prior to any hostile declaration by Sun Yat-sen urging cancelation or revision of treaties. To the Chargé in China (tel.) Information that the representatives at Paris, Brussels, The Hague, Rome, and Lisbon are being informed of the proposed statement and the Department's views and are being instructed to discuss the matter informally and orally with the various Foreign Ministers. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Instructions to send certain appropriate correspondence to missions at Brussels, The Hague, Lisbon, and Rome, and direct them to discuss the Chinese situation with the Foreign Ministers in the several countries, in the hope that they will instruct their representatives at Peking to join in signing the proposed statement. From the Netherland Minister 436 437 437 Dec. 8 438 Information that the Netherland Minister at Peking has been authorized to sign the statement. Dec. 9 (307) To the Chargé in China (tel.) 438 Authorization to join the British and Japanese representatives and those of any of the other powers concerned, in case they are instructed to take like action, in sending the statement to the Chinese Government. Dec. 9 (478) Dec. 10 (Instructions to repeat to Embassy at Tokyo.) From the Chargé in China (tel.) Amendment of the statement and its signature by representatives of all the treaty powers except Portugal. Plan to deliver the statement on December 9 and release it to the press on December 10. From the French Ambassador Justification of refusal to ratify treaties concerning China signed at Washington or to carry out resolution relative to extraterritoriality, as long as China fails to meet its obligations to France regarding resumption of service of Boxer indemnity in gold. Desire that American influence be brought to bear upon China to meet its engagements. 439 440 Dec. 10 (309) To the Chargé in China (tel.) 442 Approval of the Chargé's action regarding amendment of the Foreign Minister's note, December 23 (text printed) expressing appreciation of joint statement of December 9 and giving assurance that the Chinese Government will continue to respect its obligations. 442 CHINA NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO THE OCCUPATION OF THE RUSSIAN LEGATION AT PEKING BY THE NEWLY ACCREDITED SOVIET AMBASSADOR TO CHINA Date and 1924 June 11 (170) June 30 (209) July 9 (145) July 12 (230) July 25 (258) Subject From the Minister in China (tel.) Foreign Minister's note, June 9, to the Netherland Minister as dean of the diplomatic corps (text printed) referring to the note of the diplomatic corps, January 11, 1921, by which custody of the former Russian Legation was entrusted to the dean of the diplomatic corps until the arrival at Peking of a representative of a recognized Russian Government; and requesting that the Legation premises be returned to the representative of the Soviet Government in China. Dean's reply June 11, stating that a duly accredited representative of Russia should apply to the dean of the diplomatic corps for possession of the property. From the Minister in China (tel.) Foreign Minister's note, June 27 (substance printed) expressing the hope that the dean will comply with his request for the return of the Russian Legation premises, as any other course would not only embarrass the Chinese Government but would also prejudice the right of foreign powers to establish Legations on Chinese territory free from any condition other than consent of Chinese Government. To the Minister in China (tel.) Feeling that the Russian Legation premises should be turned over to the Russian representative upon his request for possession; approval of stand of the diplomatic corps in refusing to transfer the property at the request of the Chinese authorities; and opinion that the Chinese Government can claim no voice in the disposition of the property beyond determining whom to recognize as representative of Russia in China. Instructions to inform the Foreign Office. From the Minister in China (tel.) Dean's note, July 12, to the Chinese Government expressing obligation not to return the Russian Legation premises except to a representative of the Russian Government who will give preliminary assurances of maintenance of arrangements constituting conventional statute of the diplomatic quarter; and requesting that the Ministers be informed of the name of the duly accredited Soviet representative and that he be asked to address them directly. Information that as yet neither Karakhan nor anyone else has presented credentials as Soviet Ambassador or Minister to China; that Karakhan's credentials were for the special purpose of concluding an agreement. From the Minister in China (tel.) Minister's conversation, in his capacity as senior representative of protocol powers in absence of Netherland Minister, with Karakhan, the newly appointed Soviet Ambassador to China, who stated that his Government contemplated the abandonment in the near future of its rights and interests under the protocol but that he desired on entering the Legation Quarter to maintain good neighborly relations and to observe municipal regulations, agreed to submit a written record of his observations on the understanding that they were not to be regarded as a fulfillment of preliminary conditions but as a voluntary expression of his views, and said he would make a formal demand of the powers for the return of the Legation premises. Page 443 444 446 446 448 |