893.01/12–349: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:22 p. m.]
Cantel 1321. In discussion on future of Chinese Government, Foreign Minister Yeh on December 2 stated Foreign Office Chengtu, which now cut to 14, still has no communications and he unable make contact; claimed practically all records now at Taichung on Taiwan and that Foreign Office could not continue to be included in “mobile cabinet”. He intimated that before long Foreign Office might be set up in at least relatively secure place with own communications, and would keep only liaison unit with government if latter not move Taiwan. This subject he apparently discussed with Vice Premier Chu Chia-hua on second trip of latter to Hong Kong. According to Yeh, he was to have gone to Chengtu today but cannot see much reason now to do so, thus expects remain here in connection National Government property interests. Yeh claims to have told Generalissimo he would not serve in government based Taiwan, and additionally that he threatened that if Generalissimo not come across with funds for Waichiaopu98 he would resign and would be followed by majority of senior Waichiaopu officers who cannot be replaced easily. In this connection Yeh said Chinese Government maintains 142 establishments abroad, total budget cut while in Canton to US dollars half million monthly, and now cut by 30 percent more by staff reductions, most personnel still remain unpaid since August. It may be expected from remarks made by Yeh that if he resigns he will desire obtain visa for US. His two children are in school in Davis, California, and are understood to have been there several years.
Sent Department Cantel 1321, repeated Taipei 233, Hong Kong by hand.
- Chinese Foreign Office.↩