893.00/5–1348: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 13—7 a. m.]
1055. On eve 13th Carsun Chang, Chairman Democratic Socialist Party, issued lengthy statement to press clarifying Party’s position in Legislative Yuan dispute which could be interpreted as ultimatum. None of vernacular papers (including Party’s Chung Hwa Jih Pao) [Page 230] has yet carried statement. Chang stated that real issue was not one of seats in Yuan but one of principle. He declared that extra legal practices of Kmt in elections constituted nullification, that in order to decide issue his Party was prepared to “face new appeal to nation,” that his Party believed elections should be held over again. “We are prepared to submit to judgment of people even if we fail to gain single seat in Legislative Yuan provided elections are held on fair play basis reflecting popular will of voters.” In conclusion Chang stated: “If pledged word can no longer be counted upon and if high policy of Kmt is to preserve essence of one party system behind facade of democratic constitutionalism, I declare solemnly and soberly that Democratic Socialism can be of no service.” Full text statement being airmailed.33
Sent Nanking 821, repeated to Dept 1055.
- Despatch No. 78, not printed.↩