893.001 Chiang Kai-shek/5–149: Telegram
The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
Cantel 303. After more than 4 hours with Acting President Li in Kweilin yesterday, I am convinced he means business; is determined upon showdown with Generalissimo, and is hopeful of success. Chang Fa-kwei and representative [of] Ho Ying-chin were Kweilin while I was there and Li said that they brought assurances of agreement among Canton generals and Ho on need remove Generalissimo irretrievably from scene. Without Generalissimo, C–C Clique would disappear and Li’s authority could be made effective.
Problem of how remove Generalissimo is one occupying negotiations at moment. Generalissimo wants resume power, Li said, but feels he cannot do so except at Canton, seat of government, and that he cannot come Canton unless Li also present. Li, therefore, is not coming Canton until he has, to him, convincing assurances that he can control situation and Generalissimo cannot stage come-back. Among the assurances he is seeking of Canton generals and Ho is one that they will not permit Generalissimo come Canton under any circumstances.
Li says Generalissimo is en route Amoy. As he cannot from there resume presidency nor position of commander in chief, Generalissimo plans endeavor exert his authority through party. It was with this idea in view that Generalissimo suggested at Hangchow the 11-man policy committee (apropos this policy committee, Chu Chang-wei said he told Chen Li-fu: “You can tell Generalissimo he may think he can play role Empress Dowager, but he can be sure Li will never be his ‘Kuang Hsu’”81). Li said he refused flatly have anything do with such policy committee. Party’s influence in executive branch government, [Page 288] he said, should be exercised solely through Legislative Yuan. Li thinks he can get control Taiwan; he will not only have spoiled Generalissimo’s plan to make last stand there, thus increasing likelihood Generalissimo may be prevailed upon go abroad, but will also assure to himself the vast resources Generalissimo has concentrated on island. With those resources, Li thinks he can make resistance oil scale that will convince Congress further investment China warranted. He expressed firm determination root out all incompetents in armed forces and government and replace them by qualified young men and he expressed hope that when he had done so we would assist him with advisors in fields where qualified Chinese talent was unavailable. He is fully aware that he must demonstrate ability offer alternative to Communism before he can expect any further aid, but he hopes by stemming tide of Communist advance and holding fast, we may be led reconsider our position.
Taiwan being key to problem, Chen Cheng becomes all-important. Li is determined that he shall be removed as Governor Taiwan and replaced by a Li man so as to remove Taiwan as possibility refuge Generalissimo, as well as to obtain control of resources there. With full prestige of Li, supported by Canton generals and Ho Ying-chin, Li hopes Chen Cheng will see reason and accept transfer. On other hand, he might not. Li is very interested, therefore, in obtaining some form of US support of his action. He suggested a statement from us which I immediately said would be inconceivable. He then stated as a fact that when. Generalissimo was considering retiring, he had first planned retire Taiwan. Governor had mentioned possibility to our Consul General who had remarked casually that legal status Taiwan would not be determined until Japanese [peace] treaty was signed. This casual remark, according to Li, was reported to Generalissimo with result Generalissimo decided he could not retire to place where sovereignty China might be questioned, and thus went Fenghwa instead. Li wondered whether our Consul General there could not be authorized at time Chen Cheng is transferred to remark casually to Chen that he assumed he would be obeying his instructions as in interest of his country. I changed subject without comment, but the idea may have merit. Although Li would not admit possibility miscarriage his plans, he left me with impression of conviction that without him and his supporters C–C clique and Generalissimo would be unable form even façade of government.
Sent Department Cantel 303, repeated Nanking 238, Shanghai 191.