893.00/12–2447: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 25—7:20 a.m.]
400. Increased criticism being aimed Chen Cheng method handling military situation since arriving Mukden. While praising Chen personally for his honesty and good intentions, question his judgment and leadership. Chen has no effective contact with subordinates, consequently does not have their confidence and does not have an integrated military machine so imperative present time. Chen even being blamed for his corruption suppression activities under which corrupt but capable military men were displaced without being effectively replaced. Some contend Chen should have wielded efficient military machine and then, when Communist situation dealt with, started his anti-corruption campaign. Chen planned win westerners’ confidence by his anti-corruption program but was either incapable or unwilling to go full extent with corrective measures and thus win people’s confidence. He now enjoys confidence of neither people nor his official associates.
Sent Embassy; repeated Department as 400, Changchun 385; Peiping 109.