893.00/13634: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State

234. The National Government made following appointments July 25:

Pai Chung Hsi to be Chairman of Chekiang Province; Huang Shao Hsiung, present Chekiang Chairman, to be Pacification Commissioner of Kwangsi; Li Tsung Jen to be member of Standing Committee of National Defense Council (Li was made member of this newly organized Council July 13 by resolution of the recent Plenary Session as reported in our 225, July 14, 11 a.m.).

2.
Press reports that Kwangsi troops are concentrating on Hunan border cannot be confirmed here. With practically all the higher officials of the Government now in Kuling, most of those remaining appear to be without accurate detailed information which might otherwise be in their possession. It is generally felt in Government circles here that Chiang Kai Shek has outwitted his enemies, that Li and Pai will either assume their new posts or abandon official life and that the consolidation of the Government’s authority in the Southwest is assured.
3.
To the Department and Peiping. Repeated to Canton. By mail to Hankow and Shanghai.
Peck