893.00/9–1047: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10—9:24 a.m.]
1891. Following was published in North-China Daily News of September 7, 1947:
“A reliable source said Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, in a long message to the plenary session of the San Min Chu I Youth Corps Central Committee yesterday afternoon, levelled the ‘severest criticism’ against corruption and the ‘deteriorating spirit’ of the Government and party.
“This source said Chiang’s message was read to the meeting by Yen Shou-chien, Youth Corps Deputy Secretary-General, and was about 10,000 words—one of the longest the Generalissimo ever made.
“He was unprecedentedly outspoken and frank in his criticisms of shoddy spots in the Kuomintang organization and the Government.
“The source said Chiang listed all ‘what he thought was wrong with the Government.’
“He appealed to Youth Corps members to accept the merger with the Kuomintang so as to achieve unity and strength of spirit and purpose to face the present situation.
“He is reported to have admitted in his message that Communist organization and propaganda are superior to those of the Kuomintang. This source declined to give further details of the speech.
“He said several Youth Corps members speaking at the session attacked the ‘degenerating spirit’ and corruption in the Kuomintang and suggested the merger question should be cautiously reviewed by the meeting.
“He said most Youth Corps members are reluctant to merge with a party ‘so corrupt as the Kuomintang’.”
Sent Department as 1891, September 10.