893.00/4–1247
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 25.]
Sir: I have the honor to report a recent conversation with Dr. T. V. Soong in Shanghai. President Chiang K’ai-shek had in passing through Shanghai proposed to him the Formosa plan as outlined in my despatch no. 613 of April 4, 1947. Dr. Soong told me, however, [Page 97] that he could not bring himself to feel any interest in it. He spoke repeatedly of how happy he was, how he was enjoying his new leisure, how much better was his health, etc. He certainly looked less tired and more like his old self. After I had urged the need of drastic reforms in Formosa and the benefits this would bring to China, he went on to say that his unwillingness to return to government service went much deeper than his temporary mood of realizing how tired he had been and how he needed rest. He would not take any position unless there were “fundamental changes”. Formosa was, after all, only one detail and no improvements there would mean very much unless the whole structure and spirit of the Government were transformed. What was needed was another revolution. I told him that I had been preaching that to President Chiang ever since my return from America last May, and though he saw the point he was so controlled by his own habits of thought and action and by his closest associates that it was hard for him to take the plunge.
Dr. Soong then remarked that the place to begin would be Kwangtung whence revolutions usually started and then let it spread by natural processes as neighboring provinces became aware of what advantages followed from really good, constructive administration. He added that he would be willing to undertake this and felt sure that President Chiang would gladly have him do so. He would have no objection to my informing you of this but wished me to mention it to no one else.
Respectfully yours,