761.93/8–1145: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
Washington, August 11,
1945.
[White House No. 328.] The following is in reply to your telegram of August 11.20
- 1.
- With regard to the wording of the proposed Soviet agreement to support the Chinese National Government and to withhold aid from dissident elements within China, while this is a matter in which we cannot officially intervene, the language of the agreement should be so explicit as to make certain there will be no disagreement hereafter as to the attitude of the Soviet Government. We feel that the only compensatory advantage which the Chinese Government is being given in return for the concessions which it is asked to make is an unequivocal commitment on the part of the Soviet Government to withhold support from dissident elements within China.
- 2.
- We are perturbed over Soviet insistence that Dairen be included within the military zone and would suggest that Soong insist upon agreement stated in very precise terms with regard to the understanding that military authority in time of peace would not be exercised in the area.
- 3.
- Should the question of Inner Mongolia be further discussed you of course understand that under no circumstances could Inner Mongolia be construed as coming within the scope of the Yalta agreement.
- 4.
- With regard to joint ownership of port facilities we concur in your opinion that our interests would be adversely affected by such a concession and you are authorized to take such steps as you may deem appropriate to support Soong in his stand on the matter.
- 5.
- On the matter of management of the railways we also concur in your opinion that the issue is not one of vital importance but we would be interested in learning whether Soong has at any time discussed with the Russians the matter of the gauge of the railways.
Byrnes
- Supra.↩