893.00/4–2348: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 24—10:48 a. m.]
738. Results of obviously secret first ballot National Assembly vice presidential election as follows: Li Tsung-jen, 754 votes; Sun Fo, 559; Cheng Chien, 522; Yu Yu-jen,7 493; Mo Te-hui, 218; Hsu Fu-lin, 214; total votes cast 2760. As no candidate received majority, second ballot to be held April 24. Unless election regulations should be [Page 205] changed before tomorrow morning, candidates on second ballot will be top 3 only: thus eliminating Yu Yu-jen, Mo Te-hui and Hsu Fu-lin. Li’s large plurality significant in view his sharp criticism of Government, his advocacy of reform and fact, well known among delegates, that Gimo opposes his election. Cheng Chien’s appearance among first three completely unexpected; as was Yu Yu-j en’s failure to place. Failure to hold second ballot afternoon April 23 indicates Kmt leaders seeking time to devise means of coping with these unexpected developments.
- President of the Chinese Control Yuan.↩