811.42793/1040: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 a.m.]
416. Embassy has learned from authoritative source that in order to provide more effective representation in Washington Chinese Foreign Office has selected following six Chinese intellectuals to proceed to [Page 735] Washington March 27: Li Choh-min, graduate of Stanford and acting research director of Nankai Institute, contributor to leading Chinese publications and member of post-war planning group headed by Wang Chung-hui;10 Wu Ching-chao, graduate of and former professor at Tsinghua, now editor Hsin Ching Chi and Chief Secretary of Ministry of Economic Affairs; Wu I-fang, president of Ginling College for women and close friend of Madame Chiang, highly regarded by all observers; Chen Chung-yuan, British University training in English literature, now at Wuhan University; Paul Kuei, Dean of Science at Wuhan University, American educated; Y. C. James Yen, American educated and leader of mass education movement.
These persons are said to have been chosen from list of more than 60 names prepared by Dr. T. V. Soong with view to contacts with American intellectual leaders at Washington.
Dr. John Fairbank11 comments that this group well chosen for getting on with Americans since they are nearest approach to American ideals and temperament in Chinese scene; that none of group has “CC”12 affiliations or is of importance politically; that with possible exception of Wu Ching-chao none has intimate knowledge of matters of important policy; and that all are pro-American and should be given all support possible in order to improve their position here.
Despatch follows.13