893.00/3–2547: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to
the Secretary of State
Nanking, March 25,
1947.
[Received March 25—9:05 a.m.]
654. Following is release by Ministry of Information March 25 at regular
weekly press conference of highlights of 12-article interim measure for
the enforcement of constitutional government adopted by the third
plenary session of the Sixth Kmt Central Executive Committee on March
23:
- “1. From the day of the promulgation of the constitution
of the Republic of China to the day of the convocation of
the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of
the constitution, the administrative measures of the
Kuomintang will center on the broadening of the Government’s
basis preparatory to the enforcement of the
constitution.
- “2. The Kuomintang will cooperate with all the
peace-minded and legal political parties within the country
in completing the preparatory procedure for the enforcement
of the constitution.
- “3. All the laws or decrees of the nation that are in
contravention of the provisions in the constitution
safeguarding the freedoms of the people should be amended or
abolished speedily by the Government.
- “4. The National Government should speedily formulate and
promulgate regulations governing the various forms of
elections according to the preparatory procedure for the
enforcement of the constitution and put them into execution
as scheduled.
- “5. In accordance with the provisions of the constitution,
preparation for the redemarcation of the powers of the
Central Government and local governments should be made and
effected step by step. General regulations governing
self-government in provinces and hsien should be mapped out.
Implementation of local self-government should be
accelerated. A number of hsien should be selected to hold
popular election of the magistrates. As for current programs
for increasing local self-government during the period of
political tutelage positive measures should be taken to
expedite their completion.”
[Page 84]
When questioned as to whether or not the Chinese Communist Party could be
considered as one of the legal political parties mentioned in paragraph
2, the Minister of Information stated that since the CCP is in open
rebellion now they cannot be considered a legal political party but if
“they abandon their arms in the future they may again be considered as a
legal political party”.
