761.93/6–1345: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
7128. I received from you a message White House No. 285 dated June 9 to be delivered to Chiang Kai-shek on June 15. On June 12 at 5 p.m. the Soviet Ambassador called on Chiang Kai-shek and submitted to him the conditions upon which the Soviet was ready to take action. The conditions are those enumerated in the last half of the President’s message subjects numbers 1 to 4 inclusive. The conditions covered in the first half of the President’s message numbers 1 to 7 inclusive were not mentioned to the Generalissimo by the Soviet Ambassador.
Under instructions I will not deliver the President’s message to the Generalissimo until June 15 as directed. I know there has been some change in the plan for the presentation of this matter to Chiang Kai-shek. President Roosevelt told me that he had agreed with Marshal Stalin that the matter would be presented and explained to Chiang Kai-shek by me at the proper time. Marshal Stalin agreed with President Roosevelt (see my message No. 1212 dated April 17 at 7 p.m.57), that when the time came for discussions with Chiang Kai-shek they would be initiated by me.
The President’s message to me dated May 12 stated “We will endeavor to get by [to] Chiang Kai-shek through you at earliest practicable time all available information.” In your telegram of June 9 White House No. 285 it is stated that “Stalin wishes to discuss his proposal direct with Soong in Moscow” and further, “T. V. Soong has been given this information.”
The Generalissimo is discussing all the proposals with me. I am spending tonight with him at his home in the country but owing to the deadline of June 15 placed on my presentation I will not present White House No. 285 until that date but will discuss with the Generalissimo all subjects raised by him until that time. I do not know what importance is attached to the date of June 15 since we now [Page 901] know that most of the subject matter has already been presented to the Generalissimo but I wanted you to know that I am following instructions regarding date of presentation.