CHINESE NATIONALISTS CONCERNED OVER AMERICAN CRITICISM IN SUN CASE

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP91T01172R000300070017-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
December 20, 2016
Document Release Date: 
July 17, 2006
Sequence Number: 
17
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
September 29, 1955
Content Type: 
MF
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PDF icon CIA-RDP91T01172R000300070017-5.pdf93.24 KB
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Approved For Rele1ee 20 j 1i1172R00Q, 00070017-5 OCI No. 5789/55 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Copy No. 4 OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE 29 September 1955 MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director (Intelligence) SUBJECT Chinese Nationalists Concerned Over American Criticism in Sun Case A decision appears imminent in the case of General Sun Li-jen, who was forced to resign his post as personal chief of staff to Chiang Kai-shek last month amid charges of involve- ment in a Communist plot. Nationalist concern over American reaction to the case suggests Sun will escape harsh punishment but faces forced retirement in disgrace. Early in September the Nationalist government information bureau directed newspapers and magazines to avoid comment on the Sun case. Since then the press has been silent on the subject, except for scattered factual references. On 11 August, the Nationalist vice minister of foreign affai Sh rs, en Chang-huan, was sent to the United States One semiofficial Nationalist spokesman has informed American officials in Taipei that Sun wou treated. i Taipei's apparent concern over possible adverse American reaction to the case, plus the desire of Nationalist leaders to present a facade of internal solidarity and support for the government, makes .t,unlikely Sun will be found guilty of treason and shot. The best treatment he can hope for, however, is forced retirement under continued close surveillance. State Dept. review completed Doc:~aaen# ?I a. - - - - - - - - ---------- Ilo GkangP In 7 Der4msI''-41 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/03/09: CIA-RDP VlV4,17 700x$7-59) T Ai:dh.: HR 702 Date: ,-,,1~o,_zsr By, Approved For Release P4F-I(v'9` 99 tAi72ROAG.300070017-5 Sun's friends, many of whom are pro-American, are re- ported to believe that only strong American intervention can save the general's life and are depressed by developments in the case. The morale of these men can be expected to remain low even if Sun escapes severe punishment since they'regard the general's removal as a victory for old Kuomintang con- cepts in military, social and governmental affairs. These views will probably come to be shared by other Western-oriented Chinese on Formosa not directly associated with Sun, who will interpret Sun's downfall as further evidence of increased power for the authoritarian faction on Formosa 25X1 headed by the generalissimo's elder son Chiang Ching-kuo. Nor will the lesson of Sun's downfall be lost on civil and military officials still serving the Nationalist government. Acting Assistant irec or, Current Intelligence Approved For Release 2007Q31DJ _CINr)'D~P1 01 ? 72KU00300070017-5 81 ' T