893.00/5–1749: Telegram
The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 18—4:49 P. M.]
Cantel 396. Li Tsung-jen appears to be making no progress in organized resistance and forces disintegration continue. Chu Chang-wei, advisor to Li Tsung-jen, tells me Generalissimo not abiding by his promises and that Li is meeting insurmountable obstacle from C–C clique and Sun Fo followers in his efforts mobilize resources for continued resistance. Chen Cheng, Governor Taiwan, is due Canton today and Li plans endeavor convince him expediency supporting Li.
Chu says standing committee Kmt did in fact vote to send delegation to Generalissimo in effort persuade him come Canton (he says Generalissimo is on gunboat Shanghai) but that Pai Chung-hsi was not, as reported, to head that delegation as neither he nor Li Tsung-jen had prior knowledge proposed action standing committee. Action was instigated by Sun Fo and C–C clique who, Chu says, continue mistrust [Page 328] Li and ask protection Generalissimo. Chu went on to justify their anxiety by saying Li would purge government of all corrupt elements, including Sun Fo, Wu Tieh-cheng and Chen Li-fu, but that he would deal with incorrupt members of C–C clique in hopes of winning them over to liberalism. Ho Ying-chin, whom he continues characterize as weakling, must stay, he said, to bridge gap between Li and Generalissimo.
Li Tsung-jen being confronted with these obstacles to the exercise of his full authority hopes desperately that US can come out with some public statement indicating its support of him in preference other Chinese leaders. When I told Chu such statement was unthinkable as we could not take onus supporting any one faction as opposed to any other, he pled for a US statement in support of Nationalist Government so long as it maintained resistance to spread [of] Communism China. Even such statement in support government without mentioning Acting President, he thought, would strengthen Li’s hands. He said some of Li’s closest advisors were urging him to resign and Li might do so if he continued to meet frustration at hands Generalissimo adherents. I called attention to indications Congress might demand full public airing US policy China which would give ample evidence our sentiments toward present regime, but Chu insisted that I pass on these requests for statement at this time. I should appreciate instructions as to reply I should make.
Despite his plea for help with assurances of successful resistance if help given, Chu was sufficiently frank to agree with my analysis of the situation as follows: Generalissimo will not alter his plan make Taiwan his last bastion, with result that jockeying for position will continue in Canton until Communists arrive, at which time Li Tsung-jen will move west with part of government, the remainder seeking sanctuary under wing of Generalissimo on Taiwan as he might be expected re-emerge at that time resuming presidency. In agreeing with that analysis, he asked what our reaction would be and exhibited fear that we might recognize Generalissimo. I could only reply that we could not commit ourselves in advance on such problem which would be most difficult one.
Chu says troops from Tsingtao are being brought Kwangtung to defend east river area and that troops [of] Hu Tsung-nan and Chang Chih-chung from northwest are being moved into Szechwan to strengthen defenses that area. Should he have to leave Canton, Li plans make final stand based on Szechwan, Yunnan, Kweichow, Kwangsi and southern Hunan. Pai Chung-hsi is returning Canton next day or so to assume his functions, Chu said, as chief of staff.
Sent Department Cantel 396, repeated Nanking 293, Shanghai 247.