893.00/12497: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, October
31, 1933—4 p.m.
[Received October 31—8:30 a.m.]
[Received October 31—8:30 a.m.]
825. Reference Shanghai’s October 29, 7 p.m. There would appear to be a number of causes for Soong resignation.
- 1.
- Dissatisfaction with treatment accorded him by Chiang Kai-shek.
- (a)
- Chiang insisted on allocation of some $20,000,000 for communist campaign although Government’s monthly deficit is reported $10,000,000.
- (b)
- Contrary to Chiang’s assurances to Soong that no changes in Foreign Ministry would be made prior to Soong’s return Lo Wen-kan was sent to Sinkiang 2 days before Soong’s return to China apparently because of Lo’s opposition to a conciliatory policy toward Japan.
- 2.
- Soong’s opposition to this policy of conciliation brought pressure from Japan partially directed through Huang Fu with whom Soong is alleged to have recently quarreled. I am informed that Ariyoshi74 and Sugimura75 have repeatedly warned Chiang and Wang Ching-wei they must get rid of Soong.
- 3.
- Japan was attempting to obtain from Soong a revision of duties favorable to Japan. Soong’s resignation will probably result in strengthening the position of those Chinese who favor a policy of conciliation towards Japan as a corollary of which it may be anticipated that China will look less towards the United States and the League for cooperation.
It is as yet too early to estimate whether Soong’s resignation is of a temporary character. It is thought he will not continue as a member of the standing committee of the National Economic Council.
Johnson