893.00/6–2948
The Consul at Shanghai (Pilcher) to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)51
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Consulate General’s Despatch No. 613 of June 25, 1948, to the Department, enclosing a letter52 from Carsun Chang, leader of the Democratic Socialist Party, addressed to Secretary of State Marshall, and in connection therewith to enclose a memorandum of conversation53 describing an interview which Dr. [Page 326] Chang accorded two officers in this Consulate General several days before submitting the letter for transmittal to the Secretary.
The interview, which had been requested for personal reasons by the two officers present was turned into a rather long discussion of the current political situation by Dr. Chang who seemed to welcome the chance to put forth his views. The essence of his remarks, which were lengthy and difficult to understand as they were presented in what was at times incomprehensible English, was that the sooner President Chiang Kai-shek were to resign from the Presidency and withdraw from the political scene, the better it would be for China. Only after Chiang were removed from his position of control would there be the possibility of a leader rising who would be able to unite China in effective opposition to the Communists.
Dr. Chang felt that once the Communists crossed the Yangtze River, the Generalissimo would be forced to resign. The only thing which prevented such action on the part of the Communists was their fear that there would be active U. S. military intervention. Dr. Chang felt that Li Tsung-jen might be the man to succeed Chiang and to unite China. He did not believe that Marshal Li Chi-shen would do, as the latter had allowed his name to become too closely connected with the Communists. Among other points of interest mentioned by Dr. Chang were his feeling that the CC Clique power was on the wane and that General Ho Ying-chin, “enlightened” by his stay in the U. S., would back Li Tsung-jen as opposed to Chiang Kai-shek.
At the close of the conversation, Dr. Chang stated that he would put his views in a confidential paper which might be presented to the proper Department of State authorities. Several days later, he presented this paper in the form of the letter to Secretary Marshall enclosed in the despatch under reference.
Respectfully yours,