893.01/962: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:20 p.m.]
1708. We offer comment on the revision of the organic law of the National Government (Embassy’s 1694, September 12) as it pertains to Chiang Kai-shek who was elected President by the CEC September 13 as follows:
- 1.
- The President is to be head of the Republic although the former Chairman (or President) of the National Government was not so designated or considered.
- 2.
- The President is empowered to represent China in foreign relations, thus legalizing power already in Chiang’s hands.
- 3.
- The naming of the President as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces gives legal backing to and ensures the continuation of the actual position already held by Chiang as Chairman of the National Military Council.
- 4.
- The requirement that the President sign all laws promulgated and all mandates issued by the National Government represents a further concentration of authority in Chiang’s hands and precludes enactment of legislation contrary to his wishes.
- 5.
- The question of the limitation of the term of office of the President is academic as Chiang is not likely to have any rival for the position.
- 6.
- The President is given full power over the heads of the five Yuan as they are responsible to him and are to be selected by the CEC from state councilors named by him, thus making the executive, legislative [Page 337] and judicial branches of the Government definitely subordinate to the head of the Government who is responsible only to the CEC of which Chiang [was] reelected Chairman. In addition he was reelected President of the Executive Yuan.
The effect of the revision is to legalize concentration of power in one man. By virtue of his various offices and personal power, Chiang has actually been holding practically all the power now being delegated to the Presidency. So far as it is known, Chiang has not resigned from any of his many positions.
The Cheng Hsueh Hsi (Political Science Group) is said to have dominated the CEC session but there are no indications that the CC clique has lost any of its real power secured to it by its efficient organization and administrative control throughout the party.