893.00/12–1544
The Appointed Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 8, 1945.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s telegram no. 1874, November 20, 10 a.m. in regard to recent changes in Chinese Government personnel and to enclose an excerpt from an informal communication of November 24, 1944,96 from Mr. Richard M. Service, Attaché to the Embassy, temporarily detailed to Kunming, commenting on the reaction in Kunming to the so-called reorganization of the National Government at Chungking, announced by the Central News Agency on November 20, 1944.
Summary of Enclosure. The importance of the new appointments is minimized in Kunming on the grounds that the move is a weak and an entirely inadequate gesture on the part of the Generalissimo undertaken to meet internal and foreign criticism of his regime. The appointment of Chen Cheng is potentially significant, but he will be powerless to improve conditions in the army without the approval and support of the Generalissimo. Other appointments in the Government indicate no change in policy. No one has been ousted—no one ever is. The so-called C–C group remains in authority. End of Summary.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy
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