761.9311/12–3149: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 31—5:08 a. m.]
2380. Sent Department 2380; Department pass Moscow, AmPolAd Tokyo. … December 29 also reported Contel 2341, December 23, negotiations were in progress Moscow for signature Sino-Soviet treaty alliance. Said present trials Japanese war criminals USSR designed as backdrop for new move. Opined ex-Emperor, Pu Yi, would shortly be extradited China for trial. Confirmed reports other sources party Chinese war criminals are now being tried without publicity, stripped of all possessions where adjudged guilty and turned out on streets with beggar’s bowl.
… offered opinion that return Mao Tze-tung would be sole way changing Communist attitude toward Americans [and] Chinese for better or worse.
At dinner attended December 30 by Van Putten,50 … subject Mao visit Moscow arose. Following information presented by various persons Chinese side: Draft of treaty as brought Peiping by Roschin unacceptable in some respects Mao and other more nationalistic Chinese and it was therefore decided matter be discussed Moscow at same time as other affairs. Treaty provisions included following (besides information previously reported):
- (1)
- Chinese and USSR would be allies in event war.
- (2)
- Besides troops as previously reported, Chinese to furnish 5 million workers as manpower.
- (3)
- Transport to be placed under Soviet supervision, supported by railway guards and
- (4)
- Interior Department also to be under Soviet supervision.
This treaty designed to replace “arbitration agreement”.
- James D. Van Putten, Consul at Peiping.↩