893.00/2–1945: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 19—5:35 p.m.]
251. Following is translation of portion of interview with Dr. Sun Fo concerning coalition government as reported in the Hsin Hua Jih Pao on February 16.
“That China has been fighting a war of resistance for 8 years without being able to find a solution for her internal political problems, is both a fact and a mistake that cannot be denied. Today, many problems of Europe and of the world, including those of Greece, Poland, Yugoslavia, Belgium, have been generally settled, while China is still confronted with her serious internal political problems. Will China settle her own internal problems? Or will these problems have to be brought up in an international meeting for settlement? This certainly is a question that deserves our immediate consideration and cooperative efforts. Present day France is a good example for us to follow—France who has so swiftly lifted her international status by finding a democratic solution for her internal problems. If before the opening of the United Nations conference, China cannot solve her internal political problems, China may not be able to attain her due international status.
When the topic touched upon the methods of solving China’s internal political problems, the reporter asked Dr. Sun’s opinion on a coalition government. Dr. Sun said that there should be a clear understanding of the idea of a coalition government which, following a democratic form, should admit all parties and sects to participate in strengthening effective administration, though such a government is still a provisional one, for the future government will have to be organized through a popular election. Instances of coalition government have frequently occurred in European history. All unnecessary worry and fears connected with the idea of a coalition government will be banished by a clear understanding of its true meaning; the path of democracy is the path to solving our internal problems.”
Following is report of another interview with Sun Fo as published in Central News Agency English service on February 17 on same subject:
“Interviewed by the Central News yesterday afternoon, Dr. Sun Fo, President of the Legislative Yuan, said that the report carried in the Hsin Hua Jih Pao on his interview with the paper’s reporter on the question of ‘coalition government’ had discrepancies with what he actually said.
[Page 237]Dr. Sun said that the so-called ‘coalition government’ is a foreign term which the Chinese have now adopted. The British and French cabinets are responsible to their Parliaments which are in turn responsible to the people. The people elect members of Parliament and members of Parliament elect the cabinet to administer affairs of the state. Sometimes there is one-party rule as in the case of the British cabinet in 1931. Sometimes there is a coalition cabinet as in the case of the British cabinet formed jointly by the Labor, Conservative and Liberal parties since 1931. But whether it be one-party rule or a coalition cabinet formed by different parties, it is based on the constitution and can not be formed at anybody’s will. Britain will have another election in autumn which may result in a coalition cabinet or one-party rule. In the latter case, the party which gets the majority of votes will govern and there will be no need of a coalition government.
China, Dr. Sun continued, has no such precedent nor such experience. Some people who do not have a clear grasp of the meaning of coalition government think that it is any government formed by different parties. But they are mistaken. It should be pointed out that prior to the promulgation of the Constitution and the setting up of representative bodies of local public opinion in all places, it is questionable whether a government organized by different parties can be responsible to the entire nation. Even if a so-called ‘coalition government’ is organized, it can hardly be a fully responsible government.
Asked whether such a ‘coalition government’ can cope with the current national situation, Dr. Sun replied:
‘China’s urgent problem at present is to bring about closer cooperation and national unity. National unity may be attained either by force or by political means. Modern progressive nations generally avoid the use of force and resort to political means to settle domestic problems. At this juncture China should particularly resort to political means to effect national unity and cooperation. This is the purpose of the supreme leaders. But such national unity and cooperation cannot be realized merely by the formation of a “coalition government”. Their realization depends upon four basic conditions: First, whether the different parties agree to the establishment of a San Min Chu I state. Second, whether the different parties recognize the leadership of the Kuomintang both in the past and in the future. Third, whether the different parties recognize Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek as the national leader. [Fourth,] Whether the different parties recognize the armies as belonging to the state.
If these four basic conditions are universally recognized, all other relative questions are of minor importance.[’]”