811.2393/9–1947
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 1.]
Subject: Agreement Regarding United States Armed Forces in China60
The Ambassador has the honor to enclose a copy of the Embassy’s note no. 1109 of August 29, 1947, with translation,61 dispatched to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in response to the Department’s confidential telegram no. 1025 of August 15, 1947,62 and the original note (in Chinese) received from the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs63 in response, together with a translation of the latter61 prepared in the Embassy, to the effect that United States Armed Forces stationed in China are so stationed with the consent of the Chinese Government. The English version of the Embassy’s note and the Chinese version of the Ministry’s note are, of course, the two official versions.
It will be noted that Vice Minister Liu in his response added a proviso not included in the Embassy’s note to the Minister, as follows:
“It is mutually understood that when either the Chinese Government or the Government of the United States considers that these Armed Forces of the United States of America should be withdrawn, the Armed Forces must be withdrawn forthwith.”
The Embassy discussed the inclusion of this proviso with the Vice Minister, pointing out that while there was no objection to its inclusion it appeared that its acceptance should be confirmed formally by the United States Government in order to forestall possible criticism by third countries to the effect that the United States Government had not given such confirmation. It was suggested to the Vice Minister that a new exchange of notes which would include such a proviso be arranged. He preferred, however, that the matter stand, pointing [Page 891] out that the wording of the note sent to the Embassy was that upon which the Minister himself had decided and had instructed was under no circumstances to be changed.
It would be appreciated if the Department would instruct the Embassy whether it considers the notes satisfactory or that further action vis-à-vis the Chinese Government is necessary.