711.93/12–2045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—1:04 p.m.]
4224. Pravda Dec. 19 carried special article by N. Sokolovski translated in full below:
Presence of powerful American Armed Forces on territory of China is one of those factors of present international position which arouses justified alarm of democratic public opinion not only of China and U. S. but of entire world. This alarm does not diminish under influence of such statements as numerous pronouncements of Hurley who recently resigned as U. S. Ambassador in China4 and who has openly pushed imperialist program of American penetration in China [Page 703] with purpose of counteracting “British imperialism” and “Soviet imperialism” invented by himself.
Why today, after more than 3 months have elapsed since conclusion of war in Far East and capitulation of Japan, are there numerous U. S. troops in China, including infantry, air forces, tanks and naval forces? Is presence of American troops in China compatible with respect for sovereignty of this power with principle of non-interference in internal affairs of foreign country which all members of UNO5 pledged themselves to respect?
It is common knowledge that up to present time internal problems of China are distinguished by marked acuteness. National Govt of Chinese Republic which is recognized by and enjoys support from all United Nations faces tremendous tasks in democratization of country and consolidation on this foundation of all national creative forces. Effective performance of these tasks requires agreement with those democratic elements which played so large a role in anti-Japanese struggle and enjoy support of broad circles of population in vast regions of country. Does presence of American troops on Chinese territory contribute to positive solution of this problem on which above all depends future destiny of China as great power? Unfortunately facts speak to the contrary. Presence of American Armed Forces in China encourages most irreconcilable circles of Chinese reaction, gives them exaggerated conception of their real strength and impels them to a disregard of legitimate aspirations of democratic forces of Chinese people which is fraught with dangerous possibilities.
President of U. S., Truman, responding to apparently growing necessity of explaining fact of presence of American troops in China has made statement concerning American policy with regard to China.6 In this statement presence of American Armed Forces in China is explained on one hand by fact that U. S. “aided and will continue to aid National Govt of Chinese Republic in effecting disarmament and evacuation of Japanese troops from liberated areas. American Marines are in North China precisely for this purpose.” Here to be sure question remains open for what purpose there remain in China American troops of other branches: Air forces, tank units and warships.
On other hand statement declares:
“Maintenance of peace in Pacific area would be threatened or even undermined if Japanese influence were not entirely eliminated in China and if China were not to take her place as united, democratic, peaceful country. It is precisely for this purpose that American Naval Forces are temporarily in China.”
It is not difficult to perceive that reference to necessity of disarming and evacuating Japanese troops cannot serve as sufficient basis for transferring of powerful American Armed Forces to North China with war already over. In actual fact, can it be supposed that armed forces of Chinese themselves, which were able to withstand pressure of Japanese troops during war, were incapable of coping with incomparably easier task of disarming and evacuating enemy troops after capitulation of Japan? On the other hand broader tasks set forth in second explanation cannot but give rise to perplexity. For this explanation speaks not only of complete elimination of Japanese influence in China but of achieving purpose of establishing united democratic peaceful China. But are tasks of this nature decided with aid of alien troops?
In any case one thing is clear. If one speaks about eradicating Japanese influence then it is impossible not to agree that this task is most important in Manchuria where Japanese troops were particularly numerous. As is well known already by autumn of 1931 Japanese troops had occupied Manchuria and thereafter, using it as base, began to prepare seizure of other territories of Chinese Republic. It was precisely Manchuria which Japs strove to convert into their colony and they established there their own puppet regime named Manchukuo. It must also be borne in mind that Manchuria has long border on Soviet Union while North China, as is well known, is located at fair distance from territory of U. S. Therefore, in any case, leaving of Soviet troops for this or that period in Manchuria would have much more basis than leaving any sort of foreign troops in North China.
Sent Dept; repeated Chungking 243, Shanghai and Tokyo.