893.00/11–2146: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21—5:45 p.m.]
1939. Minister [of] Information57 21st announced following action by Supreme National Defense Council with Generalissimo in attendance ratified by Standing Committee Kuomintang Central Executive Committee:
Revised draft PCC constitution and not May 5 draft approved for submission to Legislative Yuan which will probably submit it to National Assembly 25th.
Decided reorganization of Government to start with enlargement of Executive Yuan to 18 Ministries as follows: Interior, Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Finance, Economic Affairs, Education, Transportation (a land, water and air), Posts and Telegraph, Agriculture and Forestry, Social Welfare, Food, River Conservancy, Justice, Land, Public Health, National Resources, Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs, Overseas Chinese Affairs. In addition there will be 5 to 7 Ministers without Portfolio.
Also decided new State Council will have maximum of, but not necessarily, 40 members.
- Peng Hsueh-pei.↩