861.77 Chinese Eastern/392: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 14—3:55 p.m.]
884. (1) I am informed by the German Minister here that he and the German representative in Moscow on October 9 transmitted to the Chinese and Russian Governments a memorandum which suggested that each should liberate or (as regards those who were guilty of improper political activities) deport all persons arrested by either country in connection with the dispute over the Chinese Eastern Railway. Rather elaborate practical details involved in this German proposal are to be worked out by a committee composed jointly of Chinese and Russians.
(2) The Minister said further that his Government hopes both sides will take the occasion of appointing to this committee such outstanding men as would make it feasible for them to extend their discussion to other matters concerned with the dispute, thereby affording a means to bridge over the gap presently existing between the two Governments. The German Government prefers not being represented on this proposed commission; however, if both sides urge it, Berlin would appoint representatives from the German Red Cross or other primarily humanitarian interests.
(3) The Minister also told me that the recently proposed joint Sino-Russian declaration—referred to somewhat vaguely by each side as originated by the other—was, as a matter of fact, initiated through the German representative in Moscow by the Chinese. The proposal contemplated that one of the railway’s present assistant managers be allowed temporarily to act as manager; but the Russians insisted that a Russian manager be appointed immediately, as provided by [Page 327] the 1924 treaties. The Chinese thereupon dropped the proposal. The Minister stated that the Chinese and Russian representatives in Berlin have had no discussion or contact, so far, at least, as the German Government is aware, despite reports in China.