893.00/4–2749: Telegram

The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State

Cantel 288. Chu Chang-wei called again today, Cantel 276 [278], April 26, repeated Nanking 225, Shanghai 176, this time accompanied by Kan Chieh-hou. Kan is proceeding immediately to US in guise adviser Foreign Office but in fact special representative Li Tsung-jen, bearing letter of Li to President.70

Both Chu and Kan expressed complete confidence support Kwangtung Generals Chang Fa-kwei,71 Hsueh Yueh, Yu Han-mou, as well as of Ho Ying-chin, in struggle with Generalissimo. Chang Chun, they insist, is also with them.

Plan is to reorganize armed services and government offices by removal incompetents, replacing them by vigorous young men of ability, and rearming and streamlining armed services as well as government offices. One of most difficult tasks this regard, but one they insist they will tackle immediately, is removal Chen Cheng from governorship Taiwan, and his replacement by more capable man. They feel sure such is Sun Li-jen who commands troops Taiwan and are sanguine they can unseat Chen Cheng. Should they succeed, they anticipate Chen will be left in Fukien supported only by troops of Tang En-po actuated from Shanghai.

By rejuvenation armed forces and government administration, they hope revive fighting spirit and produce victories and reforms which will enable Kan Chieh-hou persuade US grant government further aid.

Sent Department Cantel 288; repeated Shanghai 182, Nanking 229.

Clark
  1. Dated May 5; see vol. ix, p. 699.
  2. Commander of the Chinese Ground Forces.