761.93/7–1145: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to President Truman and the Secretary of State
102330. Soong showed me this morning the detailed notes of his talk with Stalin and Molotov last night. Substantial progress was [Page 927] made. There seems to be agreement over Outer Mongolia. After the war Chiang agrees that China will recognize the independence of Outer Mongolia, providing a plebiscite is held which favors independence. This agreement is not to be announced until after the war. This, the above, is subject to full agreement on all other questions including Soviet Union support of the National Government in unifying China.
A Treaty of Friendship and Alliance in the form proposed by Stalin is satisfactory to Soong. There is a difference as to the boundaries between Outer Mongolia and Sinkiang. This is to be left for a boundary commission to determine. Although Stalin would not admit Soviet assistance to the insurgents in Sinkiang he agreed that it would be the Soviet Government’s obligation not to support these rebel forces.
Soong agreed to Stalin’s suggestion that the Chinese should give greater political recognition to the racial groups in Sinkiang. Stalin would not admit giving moral and material support to the Communists but categorically stated he would support only the National Government in China and that all military forces of China must come under the control of the Government. Soong outlined the conditions the National Government was ready to grant the Communists and Stalin made no adverse comment.
Soong is inclined to believe that if an agreement with the Soviet Union is reached this will open the way for an understanding between the National Government and the Communist Party.
Soong put forward Chiang’s counter proposals regarding the ports and railroads in Manchuria. In the discussion Stalin made only a few concessions from his previous demands. The term of the agreements was reduced from 40 to 30 years. The railroads involved should be only main lines and not subsidiary lines. Title of the railroads might be joint Soviet and Chinese. The industries referred to in the Soviet proposal should be only those directly connected with the operation of the railroads. Soong insisted that the railway guards should be Chinese maintaining that guards were soldiers and therefore if Soviet this would, in fact, be the stationing of Soviet troops in Manchuria. Stalin insisted that the protection of the railroads was essential and that he could not be satisfied with Chinese guards. He finally said “we might see after 2 years”.
One of the principal differences in connection with the Ports is whether Dairen will be included in the military zone, Soong wants the military zone to be limited to Port Arthur, whereas the Russians are claiming the entire Kwantung Peninsula, Under such circumstances the Port of Dairen would be dominated by Russians and would not be a genuine free port. The open questions were left for discussion [Page 928] between Soong and Molotov. This conference is taking place this afternoon.