305. Editorial Note
Vice President Chang Myon announced his resignation on April 23. Chang declared that he had reached the decision to resign when he saw that “anger of 30 million my compatriots had reached its zenith due unjust election March 15, that our land colored with precious blood of our youths and flower our nation, who brought down by fire in course pro-testing [Page 634] illegality and injustices.” (Telegram 944 from Seoul, April 23; Department of State, Central Files, 795B.13/4–2360) On April 24 President Rhee announced that he had also received and accepted the resignations of his entire cabinet. Rhee stated that he would search for new men, not involved in partisan political turmoil, to head the various departments of government. He added that to further enable the nation to put the political crisis behind it, he planned to divorce himself from the party and to serve the nation solely as its chief executive. (Telegram 957 from Seoul, April 24; ibid., 795B.00/4–2460) In Washington a synopsis of intelligence material prepared for President Eisenhower by John S.D. Eisenhower on April 25 indicates that U.S. observers were skeptical that this move by President Rhee would serve to restore confidence in his government:
“The cool reception given President Rhee’s announcement on 24 April that he will withdraw from partisan politics and turn the reins of government over to a coalition cabinet suggests that this alone is not enough to rally popular support for the government. There is considerable evidence that the constitutional amendment planned by Rhee would allow him to retain control by leaving him the power to appoint and dismiss cabinet members.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries)