893.002/12–2248: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 23—7:02 a. m.]
2604. Secretary General58 outgoing Cabinet informs us Central Political Council Kmt, with Generalissimo presiding, approved this [Page 678] morning new Sun Fo Cabinet. He confirms constitution [of] “political” super policy-making Cabinet of Ministers without portfolio, including Chang Chun, Chang Chih-chung, Wong Wen-hao, Chen Li-fu, Chang Li-sheng59 and Chu Chia-hua, latter Education Minister previous Cabinet. Wu Tieh-cheng will be Vice Premier and temporarily occupy also office Foreign Minister. Hsu Kan is retained as Finance Minister and Yu Ta-wei as Minister Communications. Senior Ministry, that of Interior, will be filled by Hung Lan-yu, a Secretary General [of] National Assembly. Defense Minister will be Hsu Yung-chang who was chairman, Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, during war and former director War College, northerner and friend of Yen Hsi-shan,60 Education Minister is Mei Yi-chi, President Tsinghua University, Peiping, who arrived Nanking only yesterday. Industry and Commerce Minister will be Liu Wei-chih, head of Overseas Chinese Affairs in Wong Wen-hao Cabinet. Overseas Commission chairman will be Sir Chak Chen [Tai Kwei-sheng]. Health Minister will be Robert Lim. Hollington Tong will be replaced in Govt Information Office by Shen Chang-huan, former secretary to Generalissimo and presently director protocol, Foreign Office. Public announcement Cabinet is anticipated for tomorrow.61
Although election President and Vice President Legislative Yuan to succeed Sun Fo and Chen Li-fu must be effected that body, CPC62 also selected this morning as President, Li Pei-chi, northerner from Hopei Province and Governor Honan during war; as Vice President, Liu Chien-chun, prominent in Youth Corps.
Our informant said Cabinet was better than he had expected, and answered our query as to whether it is peace or war Cabinet by saying that as Communists would obviously not accept peace which did not assure Communist-dominated China, Cabinet would of necessity endeavor continue resistance. He tacitly admitted Wu Tieh-cheng would likely be real head Cabinet with Sun Fo being figurehead only. (See Embtel 2597, December 21). Li’s place as Secretary General Executive Yuan will be taken by Tuan Mu-kai and Li plans accept private position China Petroleum Corporation.
Although announced intention Cabinet is to carry on war until honorable peace is possible, there is already evidence certain members Cabinet, possibly Chang Chih-chung, are seeking to force issue of peace by making matter subject public discussion in hope influencing Generalissimo reverse his hitherto adamant stand. Tending to confirm this is widely published UP report from “unimpeachable” source [Page 679] that Generalissimo willing resign if new Cabinet agrees resumption peace talks with Communists. Given known desire some members Cabinet for negotiated peace, we find it easy to believe that Generalissimo pressed on subject was influenced to agree in his inimitable style that at right time and right place he might consider negotiated peace. Those wishing to press issue may have leaked the information in hope public pressure would force Generalissimo go along with tide public opinion. Regardless, therefore, of what else new Cabinet may accomplish, we may expect continued jockeying for position of those for and against peace at almost any price. Situation is not clarified by fact that we have:
- 1.
- Cabinet of Ministers with portfolio which will largely carry out policy directives received from above;
- 2.
- What purports to be a super Cabinet of Ministers without portfolio charged with forming policy;
- 3.
- Dr. Hu Shih who is forming a special advisory group at Generalissimo’s request to advise Generalissimo; and
- 4.
- The Generalissimo himself who, in the last analysis, will make the decisions.
Sent Department, repeated Shanghai 1306.