839.03/5–1848: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 19—4:19 a. m.]
891. Legislative Yuan May 17 elected Sun Fo as President and Chen Li-fu as Vice President. Sun was practically unopposed, receiving 558 of 608 votes cast. Legislators opposed to party domination, who had won early victory in Yuan’s decision not to permit party nomination of candidates, concentrated on defeat of Chen, regarded as symbol of machine politics and reactionary forces. In strong declaration published day of election they announced their opposition to election to Vice Presidency of man who placed interests of clique and faction above those of party and nation. However, they were unable to rally enough strength to defeat KTC [CC?] [Page 240] clique and its supporters, and Chen was elected on first ballot by 343 votes to 236 for non-party candidate Fu Ssu-nien.47 Fu’s authorship of articles offensive to Mongols reported an important factor in his defeat, causing border peoples to vote solidly against him. Election held in apathetic atmosphere and announcement of Chen’s victory elicited no applause whatsoever.
- Member of People’s Political Council.↩