893.001/2–2349
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 4.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a translation68 of a speech broadcast February 15, 1949, by Acting President Li Tsung-jen. It acknowledges in the frankest terms that the Chinese Government’s civil and military bureaucracy has deteriorated to a perilous state and that only the inculcation of a new spirit of public service and the elimination of worthless and corrupt officials can restore the people’s faith in the Government and provide a base for reconstruction. Promising to give the problem of reform his closest attention, the Acting President urges officials of all ranks, and particularly the supervisory organs, to be diligent in carrying out reform.
The Acting President’s statement, although somewhat more concrete and self-critical than similar statements in the past, still bears the stamp of “reform by exhortation” which has long characterized the utterances of National Government officials and has proved so ineffective in accomplishing the desired results. It is extremely doubtful that Li Tsung-jen has the power or temperament to act with the ruthlessness that would be necessary to effect a thorough cleaning out of the Government ranks.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy
- Not printed.↩