893.002/113: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 25—9:10 a.m.]
31. Senate yesterday confirmed Cabinet members excepting Sze who failed with 99 votes out of 204.2 Sze was third lowest in House vote January 18. I have reliable information that the reason for Sze’s defeat was that in Cabinet meetings he opposed the re-arrest of Lo Wen-kan3 after a judicial tribunal had acquitted him.
The present Cabinet is under the control of militarists and politicians who overturned the Cabinet of Wang Chung-hui4 by arbitrarily arresting Lo Wen-kan with the authority of the President. [Page 504] This action was instigated by the Speaker of the House. Sze did not appreciate the political situation or the nature of the forces with which he was allied.
My telegram no. 8 of January 5, noon. Cheng Keh has taken the post of Minister of Justice, C. T. Wang having declined to serve.