893.002/12–2048: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—6:52 a. m.]
2588. Vernacular press December 15 widely reported Sun Fo, because of failure to form Cabinet, tendered resignation to Generalissimo but latter refused to accept. During last 2 days press has ascribed Sun’s difficulty in forming Cabinet to (1) dispute over power of new Cabinet and (2) inability to decide on a national policy satisfactory to all important leaders, difficulty aggravated by uncertainty as to US intentions.
While not explicitly stated, it is implicit in most stories that crux of difficulty is issue of peace or war. Chung Yang Jih Pao for December 15 takes official cognizance these reports, denying that any question of making peace is involved and asserting that only possible policy for Cabinet is to fight to bitter end.