Page "Wendell Willkie" Paragraph 32

According to recollections by newspaper publisher Gardner Cowles, Willkie's visit to China involved a bizarre episode in which Soong May-ling, wife of Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek allegedly seduced Willkie.

Cowles claimed she planned to use China's wealth to help Willkie become President in 1944.

Cowles ' " evidence " was that Willkie and Soong both went missing during a dinner party.

Cowles claimed she later told him, " If Wendell could be elected, then he and I would rule the world.

I would rule the Orient and Wendell would rule the western world.

" Nothing has ever been found to support Cowles ' claims, and Cowles did not report the alleged romantic interlude in his newspapers.