761.93/8–2245: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
1892. 1. The President desires that you arrange to see Stalin or, if this proves impracticable, Molotov, as soon as possible and present to him our views as given below regarding issuance of statement affirming respect for open door policy in connection with the Soong–Stalin agreements (reurtel 3001, August 22, 8 a.m.):
2. The oral assurances given by Stalin, as you have indicated to Molotov, are satisfactory to the President. However, you should explain clearly and forcefully the situation in this country where public opinion and public reaction to events of concern to the United States have great weight and where the public expects and is entitled to be given as full a knowledge as practicable on foreign affairs which [Page 980] may affect the interests of this country. It follows, therefore, that oral assurances by Stalin do not meet the situation. You may also emphasize the deep interest which the American public has in Far Eastern events and particularly in developments pertaining to China, including Manchuria. In reply to Molotov’s assertion that the agreements would make it clear that no restriction would be imposed on foreign commerce, you may state that insofar as the agreements might fail to give assurances regarding full equality of opportunity and freedom from any form of discrimination they would fall short of what we would consider satisfactory. In reply to his point that no such statement had been foreseen at Yalta, you may say that we do not consider it reasonable that, simply because at Yalta the desirability of such assurances was not mentioned, we are therefore not entitled to request these assurances.
3. With regard to the manner in which Stalin’s assurances might be given public form, we suggest and would prefer that the Soviet and Chinese Governments issue a statement, at the time of the publication of the agreements, affirming adherence to the policy of the open door, equality of opportunity and non-discrimination in matters related to the management and operations of the railways and the free port of Dairen. We do not insist upon the particular language of the suggested statement as communicated by you to Stalin, but we do feel that any statement issued should give in clear and unequivocal terms the assurances we have requested and which Stalin had agreed to give.
4. We understand that the Chinese are prepared to issue such a statement and you are authorized to urge on Stalin the desirability of a similar statement by the Soviet Government.
5. We have noted the two formulae which you suggest but prefer, at least for the present, to press for a statement as described in Paragraph 3, without making mention of the formulae you suggest. For your own information we prefer your suggestion of an exchange of letters between you and Molotov to an exchange of notes between the two Governments.
6. I ask that you send future telegrams for my attention through usual channels directly to the Department.