761.93/7–745: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 7, 1945—12:12 p.m.]
In a conference with Chiang Kai-shek today he requested me to transmit the following to the President:
In the President’s message White House 285, June 9, 1945, item 1, “the status quo in outer Mongolia (the Mongolian People’s Republic) shall be preserved.” The Chinese Government claims that “status quo” means as stated in Article 5 of the Soviet-Chinese agreement of May 31, 1924, “the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics recognizes that Outer Mongolia is an integral part of the Republic of China and respects China’s sovereignty therein.” Soviet now demands China recognize the independence of the Mongolian People’s Republic. Stalin has stated to Soong that if Chiang Kai-shek so desired Soviet would make the part of the treaty recognizing the independence of Mongolian People’s Republic secret. Chiang stated that the Chinese Gov’t would rather not have any secret agreement. If he made the concession he would desire to have it made public.
Last night Chiang held a long conference with his advisers after which he cabled to Soong instructions substance of which is as follows:
China will agree to recognize the independence of the Mongolian People’s Republic after the war if
- (1)
- The Soviet agrees fully to respect the sovereignty and territorial and administrative integrity of China over Manchuria. Consequently Soviet will be offered the joint use of Port Arthur but not joint control, (b) Dairen will be made a free port, but under Chinese administration. (That is, Soviet to take no part in the civil administration of either Dairen or Port Arthur.) (c) The two railroads will be jointly operated but remain under Chinese ownership and sovereignty.
- (2)
- Soviet agrees not to give any support to the Chinese Communists or to rebellious elements in Sinkiang.
The period for the joint use of Port Arthur and for the joint operation of the two railroads as well as the duration of the proposed pact of alliance will not exceed the duration of the Franco-Soviet or the Anglo-Soviet pacts of alliance. (The Generalissimo understands these are either for 20 or 25 years, he is uncertain which. There is no time limit on the free port of Dairen.)
The Generalissimo said that these are the “maximum concessions” which China can make, Soong having been instructed to seek, in his discretion, terms more advantageous to China. The Generalissimo stated further that in agreeing to abandon Chinese claim to Outer [Page 919] Mongolia, notwithstanding the full recognition thereof by Soviet under the terms of the treaty of 1924, he was impelled by his desire to see established permanently good relations with Soviet and consequently he frankly hopes that in view of the liberal Chinese attitude substantial support of the Chinese position may be forthcoming from our Government.
The Generalissimo was anxious that the concessions he is willing to make be made known to the President immediately. He suggested, however, that if his willingness to make these concessions become known to the Soviet officials it would weaken Soong’s trading position. Consequently I have not repeated the above to Harriman. The Department may use its best judgment in that connection.