893.00/14065: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 1—1:40 p.m.]
144. 1. Wang Chung Hui was this morning appointed currently Acting President of the Executive Yuan during the absence of Chiang Kai-shek who has been granted 2 months’ additional leave.
2. Chiang is at present at Hangchow engaged in conferences with Yang Hu Cheng, Yu Hsueh Chung, T. V. Soong and others which are believed to be chiefly concerned with the liquidation of the Sian revolt; it is reported that for a considerable period of time he has been inactive in routine Government matters and that Government papers have been accumulating waiting for his attention. This has caused some disquiet but the Embassy believes that he is anxious for a short but fairly complete rest from his duties (it is understood that he has not completely recovered from the injury to his back received near Sian) and that this explains his inactivity.
3. Today’s appointment would seem logical, especially in the absence of Vice President Kung, because Wang was formerly President of the Judicial Yuan and that fact was believed to have militated for a time against his acceptance of the foreign ministry portfolio because of the relatively subordinate rank of a cabinet post.
4. Sent to the Department; by mail to Peiping, Shanghai, Tokyo.