893.00/4–1247: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 12—9:33 a.m.]
800. Foreign Minister sent for Min-Coun this morning and informed him that Soviet Ambassador had presented on April 10 Soviet reply to Chinese note regarding Dairen and Port Arthur area. He characterized note as vague and equivocal in parts and indicated that Chinese and English translations were in process of being made, copies of which would be supplied Embassy in confidence.
Dr. Wang Shih-chieh said note made the following points: (1) Disclaimed any responsibility on part of Soviets for delay in reestablishment of Chinese Government administrative control; (2) indicated that Soviet local commander had been given appropriate instructions to render assistance; (3) reiterated Soviet stand that until state of war had been terminated by treaty of peace with Japan Chinese Government troops could not enter Dairen-Port Arthur area; (4) concurred on joint use of port of Port Arthur by Chinese and Soviet merchant and naval vessels but indicated this is not applicable to Port Arthur land area where Chinese would have to obtain permission for stationing of police or other facilities, and referred to establishment of military committee which, according to Sino-Soviet treaty, would consist of three Soviets and two Chinese.
Dr. Wang Shih-chieh stated that he informed Soviet Ambassador that he could but assume that he had reported his previous remarks to Soviet Government regarding inadmissibility of Soviet Government’s ultimatum that until a formal peace treaty was signed with Japan that the Chinese Government did not have the right to station troops on its own territory, and that after due consideration by Chinese Government a formal written reply would be forthcoming but that meantime Foreign Minister had one observation which he wished Ambassador to convey to Soviet Government, namely, that the provisions of the Sino-Soviet treaty relating to Port Arthur and Dairen [Page 513] had been conceived on the basis of two allies taking precautionary measures against the possible re-emergence of an aggressive Japan and not as means of fostering aggressive competition between them, that Chinese Government was prepared to live up fully to specific provisions of Sino-Soviet agreement but it could not accept ill-founded interpretations arrived at unilaterally, and that it lay with the Soviet Government as to whether by its attitude it would augment or diminish the friendly character of Chinese Government’s relations with the Soviet Government.
Foreign Minister indicated that purport, of Soviet note and his comments to Soviet Ambassador had been made available to Chinese High Command and that whole matter would be considered by the appropriate officials of Chinese Government with the Gimo on the latter’s return to Nanking.
Please repeat to Moscow as 11, for attention General Marshall.