893.01 Provisional/77: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 16—1:36 p.m.]
403. Reference Nanking’s numbers 75 and 77 of March 14, 2 p.m., and March 15, 6 p.m.,95 regarding establishment of new government for Central China. It is reported in well-informed circles hereabouts that personnel will probably include: Liang Hung-chih as Minister of Communications (formerly Secretary General under Tuan Chi-jui96), Chen Chung-fu as Minister of Justice (former President of Foreign Affairs Commission, Hopei–Chahar Political Council), Wen Tsung-yao as President of Legislative Yuan (many years ago Commissioner Foreign Affairs at Nanking and Shanghai), Chen Lu as Minister for Foreign Affairs (formerly Minister to France), Chen Chun as Minister of Interior (Japanese returned student), Dr. Chen Chin-tao as Minister of Finance (former Minister of Finance in Peiping in 1926), Chao Tse-yu as Minister of Industries (at one time Mayor of Hangchow), Chen Tse-min as Minister of Education (a Shanghai lawyer). Whether Tang Shao-yi97 will consent to head this government is still uncertain.
With reference to Nanking’s No. 75 of March 14, 2 p.m., in which reference was made to the establishment of a China Affairs Bureau at Tokyo to be headed by Shiratori,98 it is learned from a reliable Japanese official that Shiratori is a strong Tightest, a close friend of the Japanese Prime Minister99 and the man largely responsible for Japan’s policy in Manchuria.
Italian good will mission to Japan headed by Marquis Paulucci di Calboli Barone arrived here yesterday morning and was given an impressive welcome by prominent Japanese and Italian officials. Last night General Hata, Admiral Hasegawa, and prominent Japanese diplomatic and consular officials gave a reception and dinner in honor of the mission which leaves for Japan today.
Repeated to Embassy at Hankow and Peiping.