Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-02
Formal Action in Peking by
Representative of United
States.
WILSON'S MESSAGE GIVEN
TO HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
Greeting of Welcome to New China
by American Peopole-Response
by Yuan Shih-Kai.

The republic of china was formally
recognized BY the United States at II
O'clock today Charge d'Affaires Edwin
I. Williams te.egraphed to the State De-
partment. stating he had delivered the
formal message of recognition to Presi-
dent Yuan Shih-Kai and that the presi-
dent informed him that his reply. ex-
pressing gratitude. had been telegra phed
10 Washington.
rs message from the president of one
sovereign republic to the President of the
United States. the reply was te.egra phed
60 through the medium OF the Chinese
legation in Washington.
President Wilson's Message.
President wilson's message of recog-
milton was as follows:
His Exceiiency Yuan Shih-kai
President of China.
The government and peopl. of the
nlted states of America having abun-
dainty testified their sympathy with the
people of China upon their assumption
OF Inc attributes and powers of self
government deem il oppOrtune at this
time when the representative of the
national assembly has met to discharge
accomplishment upon the aspirations of
the Chinese people. that [ extend i'll
the name of my government and of my
rountrymen. d greeting of welcome to
rhe new China thus entering into the
family of nations.
In taking this step. I entertain the
4onhdent hope and expectation that In
perfectlng republican form of goy-
70 the highest degree of development
and wellbeing, and that under the new
rule all the established obligations of
china which passed TO the provisional
government will in turn pass to and be
observed by the government established
by the assembly"
Expression of Thanks Returned.
The reply of President Yuan Shih- h-Kai
te!egraphed to President Wilson, was as
follows:
''PEKING. May =. 1919.
HIS Excellency Wilson, President of the
United States of America, Washington.
In the name of the republic of China
] thank YOU most heartily for the mes
sage of recognition which you have sent
10 me through Your honored representa-
i've in this capital. The sentiments of
amity and good viii which it bespeaks
and the expressions of greeting and well
f'ome which 1T conveys at once testify
70 the American spirit of mutual helpful
ness and adds another brilliant page to
The history of seventy years of unin-
terrupted friendly intercourse between
china and the United States
Though unfamiliar With the republi-
can form of government. the Chinese peo-
ple are yet fully convinced of the sound
ness of the principle which underlies it
and which is luminously represented
by Your glorious commonwealth. The
sole aim of the government which they
have established therefore is and will be
to preserve this form of government and
isc fn rha hot
they may enjoy it's unalloyed blessings.
prosperity and happiness within: through
the union of law and liberty and peace
and friendship without: through the
faithful execution of all established obli-
"ations-
International Question Develops.
Tie action of Edward I. Williams the
american charge of legation at Peking,
in extending formal recognition to the
new Chinese republic has created most
interesting International situation. Soon
after his appointment to office Secretary
Bryan announced TO the diplomatic repre-
sentatives in Washington of a number
OF nations. but not all. the purpose OF
America TO withdraw from the six-power
group and to recognize the new republic
as soou as the government was organized
At the same time. he earnestly urged his
hearers To request their own government
also TO follow this example so far as the
matter OF recognition was concerned.
Practically all representatives OF the
Eve powers associated with the United
States in the Chinese financial negotia-
tion declined to accept the suggestion.
They based their refusal upol the ground
that there was no government to recog-
nize that Yuan Shi-Eai occupied a tenn
porary and precarious hold upon the
office of provisional president, and that
recognition should be withheld until there
was in operation constitutional govern
ment.
Halts q. S. Action.
These statements apparently had the
effect of delaying the State Department
IN the execution of the program, and Ii
was finally decided that recognition by
the United States should be withheld
until the const'tue assembly had been
full organized Satisfied that this had
baep ACCOMPLISHED by the election of a