Y
}
[4704]
56
No. 58.
(No. 198.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received May 30.)
Peking, May 13, 1913.
I HAVE the honour to report that Deputy-Speakers of the Senate and of the House of Representatives have now been elected, and that, with the election of these officers, the National Assembly may be regarded as a properly constituted body.
On the 2nd and 4th instant respectively the Chinese Republic was formally recognised by the Republics of Mexico and Cuba.
[25244]
No. 61,
I have, &e:
J. N. JORDAN.
(No. 211.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 2-)
Peking, May 19, 1913. I HAVE the honour to report that two Presidential Orders, dated the 2nd and 7th instant, have been published which, though couched in somewhat veiled language, are regarded by the Chinese as containing a warning to the southern agitators and an avowal of the President's intention to resort to coercion should the necessity arise. The overt action which has followed the issue of the mandates is a significant indication of the Government's intention to crush any attempt at insurrection. The northern troops which were posted at Hsinyang, on the borders of Honan, have been moved down to Hankow, and preparations are being made for transporting the 6th division to a point on the Yang-tsze where it will be in a position to overawe Kiangsi. Information to this effect reached me some days ago, and I duly apprised Vice Admiral Jerram by telegram of the proposed movements. The President and his advisers seem to consider that a display of force will be sufficient to effect their object, and they anticipate no organised resistance, although they admit the possibility of sporadic outbreaks. But if, as would appear to be the case, their intention is to remove the governors of Kiangsi and Anhui and replace them by adherents of their own party, the situation may at any time assume a serious complexion. The south may not have much military force at its command, although the 8th division at Nanking would probably rally to its side, but it can always refuse to remit supplies and greatly hamper the Central Government by a policy of passive resistance.
The root cause of all the trouble is the essential difference in the political outlook between the north and south. Men like Sun Yat Sen and Huang-hsing have really nothing in common with Yuan Shih-kai and the older class of officials. The former extol constitutional methods and wish to make their application a means of curtailing the powers of the President. The latter see little virtue in a Parliament which has become a veritable pandemonium, and continue to govern the country to a large extent on the old lines. The problem is now, as it was in the days of the revolution, how to unite the north and south in a common policy for the general good. The Shanghai leaders, realising, perhaps, their own weakness, seem willing to meet Yuan Shih-kai balf-way.
Moderate men like Li Yuan Hung issue passionate appeals to both parties to lay aside their differences, but their influence has no perceptible effect upon the Assembly.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
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