893.001/173: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:28 p.m.]
1353. 1. It is officially announced that President Lin Sen died last evening, August 1 at 7:40 p.m., and that the funeral will be held at 5 p.m. today. I am addressing a formal note of condolence, dated August 2, to Dr. K. C. Wu, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, as follows:
“Excellency: It is with the greatest regret that I have learned of the death of His Excellency Mr. Lin Sen, President of the National Government of the Republic of China. The news of his passing will be received with sorrow by the President and other officers of the Government of the United States as well as by the American people in whose hearts he was held in great esteem because of the uprightness of his character, his devotion to democracy and his serene and unflinching confidence in the complete victory for which China and others of the United Nations are fighting the common enemies of freedom and justice.
“I wish to tender to the Chinese Government the sincere condolences and profound sympathy of the Government of the United States in the unfortunate loss which your country has suffered.
“Accept, Excellency, etc.”
2. It is also announced that General Chiang Kai-shek, in his position of President of the Executive Yuan, was late last night appointed by the Standing Committee of the Central Executive Committee to be Acting President of the National Government.