893.00/12–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—5:28 a.m.]
2333. Generalissimo’s personal secretary, Shen Chang-huan, has informed me that attempt to assassinate Generalissimo was made on November 29 outside west gate Peiping while Generalissimo was en route to airfield. Apparently only one shot was fired which passed thru Generalissimo’s vehicle just above heads of occupants. Gen. Sun Lien-chung77 is stated to have jumped from car and captured the would-be assassin.
Shen offers as explanation that Generalissimo had ordered court martial of Gen. Mou Ting-fang, formerly Commander Nine [New?] Fourth Army, on charges of grafting. This is said to have angered Gen. Mou’s followers, some of whom planned the ambush.
The official Government story is that a Chinese Air Force Lieutenant discharged a fire-arm at a wild fowl approximately 8 minutes before Generalissimo’s car arrived at scene. The lieutenant was arrested, an investigation held and lieutenant released.
I talked with Generalissimo on evening of December 2 and it was my impression that he was in a more depressed state of mind than I have ever known him. Generalissimo made no mention to me of attempt on his life.
[Page 385]Sent Dept 2333, repeated Peiping 280, Tientsin 177, December 4, 11 a.m.78
- Chairman of the Hopei provincial government.↩
- In his telegram Telmar 37, December 4, to the Secretary of State at London, the Acting Secretary of State repeated Ambassador Stuart’s No. 2333, commenting, “In view of official explanation and fact that Gimo felt he would lose face even to mention occurrence to Dr. Stuart it is not recommended that you send a message expressing gratification at his escape.”↩