中國幣制改革國際因素之探討（1934-1936）

Abstract

本文之目的，不是盡然討論幣制問題而是從幣制改革中窺探1930年代中期，美英日三國在遠東的競逐。進而透過文獻的整理，釐清中國與美國之間的微妙關係。文獻指出，1934年美國白銀法案的通過，使得中國1931年以來的經濟不景氣更為嚴重。由於銀價的高漲，不僅造成中國白銀外流，因為銀元升值使得國內物價緊縮、對外出口萎縮。然而白銀購買政策，讓中美之間交易白銀，因此給予中國機會，解決尾大不掉的銀本位制度，改以「法幣」為財政與貨幣問題解套。\n\n英美日三國對於中國皆有其特殊利益存在，其中日本因素最為重要。英國雖然是最先願意提供援助的國家，也支持中國推行幣制改革，然遭受日本的反對，使得國際共同協助貸款一案功敗垂成。而美國在國務院、財政部與白銀派議員互相傾軋之下，久久未能決斷。1935年11月，英國援華提案為日本當局拒絕後，美國國務院路線失敗，轉由美財政部與白宮聯合主導對華政策。中美雙方遂於1936年5月18日達成《白銀協定》。\n\n過去多認為法幣之實施是對於美國白銀政策使得白銀漲價。確實，拋棄白銀本位制度是中國不得不為的決策，然而法幣擺脫白銀，仍需儲備，有財政與匯率上的疑慮。對內雖然透過國有四行發行法幣，不僅達到壟斷貨幣發行以加強經濟統制，為之後戰爭資源動員預先作了準備工作，對外同時也解決了匯價過高的問題。\n\n就外交路線論，雖然日美英三國都有機會加強對中國經濟影響程度，最後卻只有美國得利。美國購銀政策與《中美白銀協定》的簽訂，讓中國政府集中保存的白銀得以換取美元外匯與物資。而也從此刻開始，在財政與貨幣政策上必須仰賴美援，成為日後國共戰爭失利的遠因。

This research is proposed to realize the relations between China Currency Reform and the reacts form the Powers in 1930s. So it should be considered as diplomatic history. Based on the archives in Hoover Institute and the secondary resource, I try to make it clear how the international factors worked in this period. \n\nIn 1930s, all the western countries just recovered from the shadow of depression. But China is facing their depression. According the result of secondary researches, we know that Chinese had a hard time form 1931 to 1935. And the U.S. government enforced the Silver Act in 1934, striking down the situation of China. That made Chinese government to abandon Silver Standard. \n\nTo issue new tenders is not an easy task to China. Silver was used monetary in China since 16th century. Also, Chinese National Government had financial crisis. They need foreign loan to support their plan. British, Japanese and American governments were the three Powers who could give a hand. But still, there were some interest concerning among them. Either one should take steps very carefully.\n\nBritish government was the first one, trying to assist china to pass the hard time. Her government sent Leith-Ross to Far East for seeking the chance to stabilize the situation in China. And he hoped Japan government to participate loan project. But, November 4 in 1935, Chinese governments announced “Legal Tender Policy”, and asked all the banks to turn over their reserve of silver. In Japanese view, it would be encouraged by British government. The plan was over. American government took this opportunity to make a silver deal with China.\n \nAmerican government offered dollars as reserve of legal tender. China sold their silver to exchange dollars and other military resources. This agreement put the Sino-American relation more closely than before.