742 Chapter 6
MID#2649
Dispute Number: 2649
Date(s): February 9, 1917 to August 14, 1917
Participants: 710 China/255 Germany, 300 Austria-Hungary
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: China was looking for a way to use the end of World War I to its advan-
tage. An opportunity arose to retake its territory in certain areas from foreign powers
when the United States approached with the request that they join the Americans in
breaking off diplomatic relations with the Central Powers. China had some requests
of its own, particularly, a substantial financial payoff. The United States acquiesced.
On February 9, 1917, the Chinese government protested against Germanys decision
to resume unrestricted submarine warfare on February 1. Following the breaking of
diplomatic relations and the dismissal of the German foreign minister on March 14,
China seized the German concessions in Hankow and Tientsin. The Chinese govern-
ment disarmed German soldiers and seized German property and shipping vessels
despite the protests of Germany. China was very clear that what it was doing coin-
cided with breaking off diplomatic relations and not a declaration of war. In addition,
on March 20, China responded to a note from the United States clarifying that its
breaking off diplomatic relations extended to Germany only and not Austria-Hungary.
The question of whether China should declare war was hotly debated in Peking. It
became so heated that it tore the country in two, parliament was dissolved, and those
legislators against the idea fled and established a new government in Canton, leaving
Peking and in turn the rule of China in the hands of a militarist oligarchy. On August
14, the Peking government declared itself to be in a state of war with Germany and
Austria-Hungary. China sent about 170,000 coolies to serve as laborers behind the
Allied line in Mesopotamia and Europe as well as a military commission to France.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 11, 1918. Outcome changed
from Unclear.
MID#2208
Started in March 1926. See the narrative in the 710 China/740 Japan dyad dispute list.
255 GERMANY/800 THAILAND
MID#521
Dispute Number: 521
Date(s): July 22, 1917
Participants: 800 Thailand/255 Germany, 300 Austria-Hungary
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Unclear)
Fatalities: None