711.93/10–247: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:16 p.m.]
2018. I called on Gimo evening September 28 for informal talk. I mentioned that a variety of rumors were rife with regard to relations [Page 300] our two countries. Gimo voiced emphatic assurance that the friendly relationship between China and the US was too long-standing to be affected by any seeming conflicts of interest. He then remarked that his own policy was inflexibly clear and firm. In view of reports reaching me of strong pressure upon him from Kmt groups to shift from America to a more pro-Russian course his introduction of this comment seemed to me quite significant.
I questioned him as to the real reasons for the Chinese stand regarding the Jap peace treaty and he replied without any apparent hesitation. He explained that in view of all the devastation the Chinese people had suffered from the war they ought to be adequately protected and compensated in the terms of the treaty, and added that the Foreign Minister had been instructed to discuss the problem in all its aspects with you in an effort to find a solution acceptable to both nations.
He continued in a more personal vein to the following effect: He felt the responsibility to his people of averting the dangers to China of a treaty in which the Soviet Union was not a signatory, all the more so because of China’s present weakness; it was almost an issue of China’s survival, to say nothing of the stability of the Pacific area; if the Soviet Union violated the agreement his own Government would at least have done its best for its people and would have a case to present to the UN. He then referred to India with its huge population and the importance of having both China and India develop according to their natural tendencies and that for reasons such as these it seemed to him America should be no less concerned about Asia than Europe.