740.00119 Military Political Commission/1a

The Department of State to the Embassy in China

There are attached hereto, for the information of the Ambassador,1 a copy of a “Tentative Draft of a Joint Four-Power Declaration” which was handed to Dr. Soong2 on September 21 in the strictest confidence, together with a copy of an “oral statement” in record of what was said to Dr. Soong in connection with this document.

Dr. Soong expressed the opinion that communication of the tentative draft to him would suffice for and should be considered as communication of the matter to his Government. Dr. Soong said further that he was leaving Washington for Chungking the following week and that he would undertake to communicate with Chungking. Subsequently it was suggested to Dr. Soong that for reasons of security he might wish to limit himself to taking the documents under reference with him to Chungking without having communicated them to his Government by telegraphic means. In response Dr. Soong said that he would take the papers with him on his person. (He did not, however, indicate whether he would or would not telegraph regarding them.)

It is not desired that the Embassy take any initiative in the matter. The copies of the documents under reference are transmitted to the Ambassador for his information in the event that the matter is taken up with him by appropriate officials of the Chinese Government. In the event of such an approach to the Ambassador, the Ambassador should communicate full particulars and his comments to the Department, taking special precautions as to the security of the method and substance of communication.

[Page 820]
[Enclosure 1]

Oral Statement by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck) to the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs (Soong)

The paper here attached3 is, as indicated, a tentative draft of a possible declaration to be made jointly by the four powers indicated.

Copies of this paper are being communicated to the British, the Soviet Union and the Chinese Governments.

Proposal is being made to the British and the Soviet Union Governments that consideration of this project be made an item on the agenda of the forthcoming Tripartite Conference.

Any expression of its views or comments that the Chinese Government may feel constrained to make to the American Government would be welcomed.

An indication of Dr. Soong’s views regarding the best method of communicating with his Government regarding this matter is requested.

[Enclosure 2]

Tentative Draft of a Joint Four-Power Declaration

The Governments of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union and China:

united in their determination, in accordance with the Declaration by the United Nations of January 1, 1942,4 and subsequent declarations, to continue hostilities against those Axis powers with which they respectively are at war until such powers have laid down their arms on the basis of unconditional surrender;

conscious of their responsibility to secure the liberation of themselves and the peoples allied with them from the menace of aggression;

recognizing the necessity of ensuring a rapid and orderly transition from war to peace and of establishing and maintaining international peace and security with the least diversion of the world’s human and economic resources for armaments;

jointly declare:

1.
That their united action, pledged for the prosecution of the war, will be continued for the organization and maintenance of peace and security.
2.
That those of them at war with a common enemy will act together in all matters relating to the surrender and disarmament of that enemy, and to any occupation of enemy territory and of territory of other states held by that enemy.
3.
That they will take all measures deemed by them to be necessary to provide against any violation of the requirements imposed upon their present enemies.
4.
That they recognize the necessity of establishing at the earliest practicable date a general international organization, based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all nations, and open to membership by all nations, large and small, for the maintenance of international peace and security.
5.
That for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security pending the reestablishment of law and order and the inauguration of a general system of security, they will consult and act jointly in behalf of the community of nations.
6.
That, in connection with the foregoing purpose, they will establish a technical commission to advise them on the military problems involved, including the composition and strength of the forces available in an emergency arising from a threat to the peace.
7.
That they will cooperate with each other in bringing about a practicable lightening of the burden of armaments for themselves and for the world.
8.
That they will not employ their military forces within the territories of other states except for the purposes envisaged in this declaration and after joint consultation and agreement.

  1. Clarence E. Gauss.
  2. T. V. Soong, Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  3. Infra.
  4. Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 236, or 55 Stat. 1600.