893.001 Chiang Kai-shek/6–1148: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—9:43 a. m.]
1071. Philip Fugh, Ambassador’s personal secretary, tells us that he has observed Generalissimo closely during past 2 years, and that recently he has noticed decided approach to senility. Even though Generalissimo continues to take notes of important points, he says he no longer makes quick firm decisions he formerly made; he fails increasingly to see that his instructions are obeyed and increasingly he forgets things. We gathered from Fugh that in his opinion Generalissimo has become a tired old man incapable of meeting effectively responsibilities he has assumed, that he is daily losing in prestige; and that inevitably sooner or later he will be removed from authority.
In spite of this picture of Generalissimo, Fugh agrees that without Generalissimo at head of state, country might relapse into regionalism and has suggested possibility that some way might be found to persuade Generalissimo to renounce emergency powers granted by National Assembly and seek strong Prime Minister to provide requisite leadership. Difficulty is that Generalissimo so dominated scene in China for so long no other person of caliber to assume leadership has appeared.