895.00/4–1547: Telegram

The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State

confidential

814. Chinese Ambassador in Moscow56 has been instructed to hand Secretary of State following letter which Foreign Minister intends to release to the press here upon notification from Chinese Ambassador that it has been delivered:

“Dear Gen. Marshall: I am in receipt of a copy of your note addressed to Mr. Molotov dated April 8 on the situation in Korea, for [Page 632] which I thank you. On behalf of my Govt I have the honor to state the following views on the subject of Korea:

The future of Korea is a matter of deep concern and vital interest to China. The Chinese people and Govt have always held that the Korean people should be given independence at the earliest possible date. We regret to observe, however, that in spite of the long lapse of time since the defeat of Japan no govt of the Korean people has yet been set up. We strongly urge, therefore, that there should be no further delay in bringing into existence and operation of such a govt. In order not to delay further the realization of the aspirations of the Korean people in their long struggle for freedom and independence, it is our view that full consultation should take place among USA, USSR, Great Britain and China, who are parties to the Moscow agreement of Dec 2[27], 1945 on Korea, if the occupying powers cannot reach an agreement soon on this matter.

I am instructing the Chinese Ambassador in Moscow to furnish copies of this note to Mr. Molotov and Mr. Bevin.57 Wang Shih-chieh”.

Sent Dept 814, Dept please repeat Moscow as 15 for General Marshall.58

Stuart
  1. Foo Ping-sheung.
  2. Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, at Moscow.
  3. Sent as telegram 950 (Secdel 1466) April 16, 6 p.m., to Moscow and repeated as 134 to Tokyo and 67 to Seoul.