893.00/1–1449: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:47 p. m.]
113. I delivered our reply to Chinese request for mediation at 7 last evening (see Department’s telegram 43, January 12, repeated London 140, Paris 103, Moscow 23). Foreign Minister and Vice Foreign Minister were present. Upon reading our aide-mémoire, their reaction was one of disappointment but not surprise. They asked if we had consulted with any of other governments and I replied that I was not in position to give them authoritative answer on this but I assumed there might well have been some informal discussions with British and French. In brief but general conversation that followed, I took occasion to emphasize US Government’s continuing [Page 48] friendship for and interest in welfare of Chinese people. I informed British Ambassador last night I had received Department’s reply. He called on me this morning to tell me that he had instructions to reply to Chinese note in negative sense basing British position upon terms of Moscow Conference of 1945. I am informed that French Ambassador has not yet received his Government’s reply.
Sent Department 113, repeated London 3, Paris 2, Moscow 1.