740.00119 PW/10–1745: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17—8:25 a.m.]
3570. Congressman Mansfield’s statement regarding American policy in China82 was featured on foreign page of Izvestiya October 16 in despatch datelined New York, October 11. Translation of despatch follows:
Mansfield stated in House that policy in Far East is not clear and summoned us to withdraw all Armed Forces from China. He said that there is no basis for holding Armed Forces in China, India, [Page 582] Burma and Korea and that sending of reinforcements to naval units on Asiatic Continent is in no way justified since it is in the interest of United States to withdraw its forces promptly. There are great possibilities for the flaring up of revolutionary movement in Manchuria now under Russian control: in Sinkiang where revolutionary movement has been developing for many months; in Shantung and Hopei where there are American warships supplying American seamen; in Hong Kong whose future status has not yet been defined; and in many other places. Mansfield stated that the longer American Forces remain in China, the greater are possibilities for United States being drawn into internal problems of China.
Mansfield stated that American Forces in China continue to be reinforced. Landing of Naval Forces in Tsingtao and presence of five cruisers in Chefoo has created situation dangerous for United States, in first place, because it may impel Russians to refuse to withdraw their forces from Manchuria within 3 months as was provided by Soviet-Chinese treaty.83 Secondly, if civil war began in China between Kuomintang and Communists, United States might not be able to maintain neutrality. It should be remembered that provinces of Shantung and Hopei are located closer than any others to Russian-occupied Manchuria. In these provinces there is a substantial number of Communists who might decide to maintain independent position regardless of outcome of Chiang–Mao negotiations. Mansfield warned that landing of Naval Forces and sending of American cruisers to Chefoo is entirely unjustified interference in Chinese affairs and “although Chiang Kai-shek indisputably is encouraged continuing this policy”.
Sent State as 3570; repeated Chungking as 181.