893.00/4–2948: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 29—7:46 a. m.]
776. Following the agreement of three leading contenders to withdraw their withdrawals from the vice presidential race and vote of [Page 212] the Presidium of National Assembly to continue with election, third ballot was held April 28 and resulted in 1156 votes for Li Tsung-jen; 1040 for Sun Fo; and 515 for Cheng Chien. The decrease in Li Tsung-jen’s support and the general attitude and apathy apparent during third ballot led many observers to surmise that possibly sufficient pressure and coercion had been brought to bear to insure that on the fourth and final vote Sun Fo would emerge victorious.
Fourth ballot held April 29 and resulted in 1438 votes for Li Tsung-jen and 1295 for Sun Fo. Presidium immediately thereupon proclaimed Li as Vice President. The voting was quiet and orderly until near end of counting when it became apparent that Li would win and his supporters became increasingly noisy in expressing their approval of vote and centered their demonstrations around Madame Li, who was present on floor of Assembly.
Public interest in Nanking during fourth ballot was apparent. Proceedings of Assembly were broadcast and it seemed as though every radio in Nanking was tuned in on it with crowds of people gathered in streets wherever a radio could be heard.
Embassy will subsequently elaborate its estimate of what this development means. The preliminary appraisal is that it represents a smashing defeat for the CC clique, a serious setback for Generalissimo whose determined support of Sun Fo was no secret, and a successful challenge by opposition elements of party to dictation by party machine centering around CC clique and Whampoa clique. It remains to be seen how the Generalissimo will accommodate himself to these developments and whether opposition elements can organize effectively to implement reform program which Li professes. Li appears to have been rallying point for all discontented and opposition elements in Assembly. Question now is whether he can provide effective leadership which can and will coalesce this feeling into an effective and progressive opposition.