761.93/5–1447: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14—8:45 a.m.]
1043. Foreign Minister sent for Minister-Counselor and informed him that yesterday he had called in the Soviet Ambassador and handed him a long reply to the Soviet note despatched in Embtel 1030, May 13, 10 a.m., which apparently reiterated and elaborated on purport of previous Chinese notes. Dr. Wang Shih-chieh stated that he informed Soviet Ambassador that Chinese Government maintained its stand that war was in actuality over, with Japan occupied by allied forces, and that therefore theoretical assertions of the existence of a state of war conferring powers on Soviet authorities to limit China’s right to send police and troops to Dairen–Port Arthur areas were without foundation. He also called attention to the threat to a Chinese administration of hostile non-Government forces, which could attack either by land or by sea and which required the presence of such Government forces. Soviet Ambassador apparently countered by somewhat vaguely phrased offer of appropriate assistance from Soviet authorities in Dairen-Port Arthur areas to which Dr. Wang Shih-chieh replied by pointing out “the serious objections” of the Chinese Government to having its officials on their own territory dependent upon foreign assistance in the discharge of their duties.
Foreign Minister notified Soviet Ambassador that Chinese Government was prepared to send on a Chinese man-of-war its commission of inquiry and indicating he would notify him of date of departure in due course. He requested that during this time Soviet Government reconsider its attitude.
Incidentally, although Soviets have at the request of the Chinese Government provided some information re conditions and dispositions in the Dairen-Port Arthur area, it has refused thus far to reply to Chinese request regarding number and disposition of Soviet troops, and China is continuing to press for this information.