661.93/1–2550: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
priority
335. Eyes only Amb Bruce. Dept has recd from several sources interim reports regarding Stalin1–Mao negotiations which, while viewed with reserve, may serve very useful propaganda purpose if skillfully released for publication in such a manner that appearance of material cld not be traced to this govt. Info for release is contained in fol nrd paras:
- (1)
- Mao Tse-tung seeking (a) equivalent one billion pounds sterling financial aid; (b) machinery and other capital equipment; (c) equipment, primarily planes, for use in invading Formosa.
- (2)
- Sovs demanding (a) full control of strategic ports Chinwangtao, Haichow, Chefoo, Weihaiwei and Tsingtao in addition to Port Arthur and Dairen; (b) far-reaching concessions by Chi Commies to “minority groups” in border territories of Sinkiang, Inner Mongolia, Manchuria, Northwest (Mohammedans) and Tibet; (c) labor force from China of 500,000 men; and (d) increased shipments of grain and foodstuffs from Manchuria.
- (3)
- Moscow negots have apparently just begun in earnest fol arrival [Page 295] Chou En-lai and staff consisting of experts in trade, finance heavy industry and political and military affairs.
- (4)
- Interesting speculate why Mao did not attend publicized meeting between Stalin and Chou. Was he ill, was he trying to disassociate himself from drafting of an unequal treaty, did Stalin intentionally exclude him or is he under hospitable detention?
- (5)
- Simultaneous presence in Moscow of Mao, Chou and Meh Jung-chen2 pose question what happening in Peiping. Does Chu Teh3 have sufficient authority and leadership restrain Liu Shao-chi4 and pro-Kremlin clique in absence more patriotic figures? This regard, interesting note that three principal Chi negotiators now in Moscow—Chou, Neih and Li Fu-ch’un (Vice Chairman of Northeast Peoples Govt and one of founders of Fr branch of Chi Commie Party)—all recd significant portion education in France.
- (6)
- Is China being sold out in Moscow while political puppets of Kremlin in Peiping are consolidating their position, undermining new regime and betraying revolution?
- (7)
- Results Moscow negots when publicized will undoubtedly appear on surface non-injurious to Chi interests and nationalistic aspirations. Unequal clauses of treaty or agreements, which will impose “made in Moscow” fetters on Chi people, will appear only in secret protocols.
Dept desires that above material be planted as soon as possible because we cannot be sure when negotiations in Moscow may be completed. Paris appears to be best place from which story might originate. Means taken to plant above info are obviously of utmost importance as misstep cld boomerang on us with serious results. Matter is therefore one to be handled with extreme delicacy and discretion.
Three possible techniques occur to Dept. One is to plant info through cutout with a correspondent of a Fr or Swiss paper which can be depended upon to carry full story. Dept views this course with misgiving because of security risks. Second possibility is to plant story through cutout with Sulzberger.5 Feasibility of this depends upon whether you have adequate cutout for such purposes.6 Third course is asking someone on ur staff, perhaps Tyler,7 to give story directly to Bill Stoneman.8 While Stoneman is regarded as entirely trustworthy, it seems to us that such a story might emanate with some awkwardness [Page 296] from him, inasmuch as he does not pretend to cover the globe as Sulzberger does and because he is so evidently respected and trusted by the Emb.
Dept leaves to you decision regarding which method to use. We have discussed this matter with Bohlen9 and suggest that you restrict discussion of this matter among ur staff to Tyler, Bonbright10 and Chipman.11
Whichever course you follow obviously there will have to be some plausible explanation as to source of info. “Well-informed sources out of Eastern Europe” is probably as good an identification as any.
Once story is printed, Dept will exploit it vigorously through Voice and other media directed primarily to Far East and secondarily to other areas. If this plan is successful, addtl info may be transmitted for similar treatment.
As use of Wade–Giles romanization for Chinese place and personal names might indicate other than Eastern European source, Dept suggests use of English romanization of Russian transliteration all Chi names. Fol is list Chi names used this msg followed by romanized Russian equivalent: Mao Tse-tung—Mao Tsze-dun; Chou En-lai—Chzhou En’-lay; Nieh Jung-chen—Ne Zhun-chzhen’; Chu Teh—Chzhu De; Liu Shao-ch’i—Lyu Shao-tsi; Li Fu-Ch’un—Li Fu-chen’; Peiping—Pekin; Chinwangtao—Tsin’vandao; Haichow—Khaychzhou (Dunkhay on Sov maps); Chefoo—Chzhifu; Weihaiwei—Veykhayvey; Tsingtao—Tsindao; Port Arthur—Port Artur; Dairen—Dal’nay; Sinkiang—Sin’tszyan; Mongolia—Mongoliya; Manchuria—Man’chzhuriya; Tibet—Tibet.
Pls handle urgently and keep Dept informed marking messages “no distribution”.
- Iosif V. Stalin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R.↩
- Director of the Peking Military Control Commission and Commander of the North China Military Area, member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.↩
- Commander in Chief of the People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of China.↩
- Vice Chairman of the Central People’s Government Council of the People’s Republic of China; Chairman of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association.↩
- C. L. Sulzberger, correspondent for The New York Times.↩
- According to Mr. Sulzberger, the contents of this telegram were shown to him directly by Ambassador Bruce, after which Mr. Sulzberger published the contents; see C. L. Sulzberger, A Long Row of Candles: Memoirs and Diaries, 1934–1954 (New York, the Macmillan Company, 1969), p. 492.↩
- William R. Tyler, Counselor of Embassy in Paris.↩
- Correspondent for the Chicago Daily News.↩
- Charles E. Bohlen, Minister at the Embassy in Paris.↩
- James C. H. Bonbright, Counselor of Embassy in Paris.↩
- Norris B. Chipman, First Secretary of the Embassy in Paris.↩