Office of the Historian

893.002/12–3149: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State

Taipei, December 31, 1949—3 p. m.
[Received December 31—4:05 a. m.]

Cantel 1349. Appears to be good possibility that Generalissimo’s effort assuage US will result in ouster of Yen Hsi-shan and appointment of Chang Chun92 as Premier.

At lunch December 29 K. C. Wu invited Chang as only guest with Krentz, Edgar and myself and took great pains to point out that, although some people might be unaware of it, Chang was a real liberal. Wu also referred to Chang as his former boss and friend.

Secretary to Yen on December 30 himself volunteered possibility Yen resignation in favor Chang.

If appointed, Chang will complete the triumvirate of American favorites together with Sun Li-jen as Defense Commander of Taiwan and Wu as Governor.93

Strong
  1. Chinese Minister without Portfolio and former President of the Executive Yuan.↩
  2. Marshal Yen and General Chang both became Senior Advisers to President Chiang Kai-shek in March 1950, while General Chen Cheng became President of the Executive Yuan.↩