861.77 Chinese Eastern/125: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:40 p.m.]
637. Legation’s 620, July 24, 1 p.m. Following from Reuter, Shanghai, July 25:
“C. T. Wang today stated that China was willing and prepared to launch immediately negotiations with the Soviet Government to bring about a settlement of the Chinese Eastern Railway issue, following receipt of word from Moscow.
China was quite willing to accede to the Soviet’s reported wish to settle issues by direct negotiations instead of through mediation by a third party.
The Foreign Minister indicated that he thought it likely that negotiations would take place in Moscow rather than Harbin.
He was optimistic that these negotiations would solve the dispute and said in conclusion, we are now waiting for Moscow’s indication of their attitude towards the suggested procedure and also an indication of a possible date for opening negotiations.”