893.00/13490: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Spiker) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11 a.m.]
It has been reliably confirmed that Hu Han Min died yesterday evening at 7:45 as the result of a paralytic stroke on May 9. Details follow by mail despatch.75
His death, together with the serious illness of the aged Hsiao Fo Cheng and the weakened political hold of Tsou Lu, seems to presage at least a temporary disorganization and lessening of the influence of the southwestern civilian Kuomintang group and a corresponding opportunity for the military leaders to strengthen their control. It is generally believed that such a development, which tending [tends?] to clarify issues, will probably lessen the prospects of reconciliation with Nanking which according to various recent information obtained locally, are already at least as remote as they have been for many months.
Transmitted to Department, Peiping, Nanking.
- Not printed.↩