861.77 Chinese Eastern/509: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
1062. Legation’s 1045 [1055] November 29, 6 p.m.43 Following from Tass Agency, Moscow, November 29:
“Today the German Ambassador handed to the Acting People’s Commissioner of Foreign Affairs of the U. S. S. R., Mr. Litvinov, Nanking Government’s note of November 14th.44 Mr. Litvinov handed to the German Ambassador at Moscow the following reply:
‘We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the note of the Nanking Government of November 14th which you have handed me this morning. The Union Government has already received an official communication from Marshal Chang Hsiao-liang stating his acceptance of the preliminary conditions necessary for the speediest settlement of the conflict by direct negotiations. The Nanking Government’s proposals stated in the above note, which are [likely to] only protract the conflict, are therefore of no avail.’”
Following from Kuo Wen News Agency, Nanking, November 29th:
“Chinese circles concerned today deny the return [alleged?] report from Moscow that Marshal Chang Hsiao-liang has wired to Mr. Litvinov, acting Soviet Foreign Commissar, agreeing to the restoration of the status which prevailed on the Chinese Eastern Railway before the Chinese took the line over last July and also to the reinstatement of the Soviet general and assistant manager. It is pointed out that the Manchurian authorities have always been in agreement over the Russian situation and that Marshal Chang has never indicated such intentions in his recent wires to the Government. It is suggested that the report in question is another piece of Soviet propaganda.
Dr. C. T. Wang, Minister of Foreign Affairs, categorically denied in an interview this morning that any differences had arisen between the Central Government and Manchuria over the CER dispute. Since the trouble arose, the Central Government had taken the stand that the issue was one of national concern and should be dealt with by the Government. This attitude was shared by the Manchurian authorities which had been in daily communication with the Government.”