893.00/5–1445: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14—3:30 p.m.]
778. The Sixth Kuomintang Congress, which was scheduled to conclude yesterday, has been extended for 2 or 3 days. Meetings are secret, the press not being admitted.
Political and military and party organization reports have been made to the Congress. According to information from a number of sources, the four main party cliques (Political Science, Chu Chia-hua, Youth Party and Whampoa cliques) are seeking to lessen the influence of the major C–C clique,48 but their degree of success has to date been limited (due to the superior organization of the C–C).
Discussions of the Chinese Communist Party problems have occupied much time. The Generalissimo made an important off-the-record statement today in which he stressed the importance of closer and more harmonious relations with Russia. He reassured the meeting that there was no controversy with Russia about Manchuria or Korea. Further information will be telegraphed as soon as available.
- Clique headed by the Chen brothers.↩