761.93/11–2445
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Chinese Ambassador called at three o’clock, at his request, to see the Secretary.
The Ambassador handed to the Secretary a copy of a message from the President of China to President Truman64 and stated he would like to obtain the Secretary’s advice about the matter. He said he had requested an appointment to see the President, but as yet had not been advised that a time had been set.
The Secretary read the message and then asked if there was any possible chance of immediate compromise between the Nationalist Government and the Communists.
The Ambassador said that before the London Conference the chances of compromise were much better, but since the Conference there has been a stalemate and the Russian attitude seems to have so much effect on the attitude of the Communists. He reiterated the statement he made several days ago when he called on the Secretary that the Soviets had promised they would not allow the Communists troops to come into Manchuria.
The Secretary inquired whether the Chinese have this promise in writing.
The Ambassador stated there was no written agreement, but that General Malinovski, Soviet Commander in Manchuria, has repeatedly made this promise. He emphasized that it is important to do something at once since the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Manchuria will be completed by December 3. He would like to have the Soviets tell the Communists to leave Manchuria and accept a compromise settlement with the Nationalist Government and hopes the United States will be able to make representations to the Soviet Government. He referred also to agreements in the Sino-Russian treaties [which?] have not been observed, particularly regarding use of the Port of Dairen.
The Secretary stated that he wished the Chinese had in writing the Soviet promise, to which the Ambassador said he thought the message he delivered on the 20th from the Chinese Foreign Minister65 could be used as a basis for a protest to the Soviets. The Secretary said he would have a look at this note, keeping the Ambassador’s thought in mind.
Regarding the message to the President, the Secretary told the Ambassador he would send the copy handed him to the President and would discuss it with the President. The Ambassador asked that the [Page 667] Secretary urge the President to receive him so that he could present the original message to him, as he was instructed to do.
Ambassador Wei brought up the subject of General Wedemeyer’s plan for a group of advisers to be sent to China in connection with military training, stating that it would be helpful, in view of the situation, to have this plan put into effect.
The Secretary informed Ambassador Wei that in view of the size of the group—about 3,000 men—the matter would have to be considered very carefully and certain members of Congress would have to be consulted to determine whether the plan would be approved there.