893.00/1–1348: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:36 p. m.]
86. Analysis by Consulates of available National Assembly election returns their districts being requested by Embassy accordance suggestion Deptel 46, January 10.66 While CC clique67 candidates may have been defeated some places, we do not believe that ability of CC leaders to control coming National Assembly has been threatened appreciably. Delay in announcing returns not due to defeat of important Kmt candidates but rather to efforts of Kmt to fulfill pre-election pledge to assist minor parties in certain areas. In many these areas Kmt members ran in defiance Nanking Party headquarters’ orders to withdraw their candidacy and were elected. For past several weeks Kmt High Command has been engaged in onerous task of persuading such elected Kmt members to withdraw in favor of minor Party candidates. Chen Li-fu yesterday confirmed to Embassy officer that this problem has been principal preoccupation of Kmt in connection with elections. He added that consolidated returns covering most of China would be published within few days.