761.93/7–2945: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
290927. This is a sidelight for your information. At 1335 hours Chungking time July 291 sent you, both Army and Navy, a reply from Soong to your message of July 28. He states that he has an understanding with Molotov to return to Moscow to reach there soon after Stalin’s return. This was not a message direct to Stalin as you requested. It was the best we could get. We hope it fulfills the purpose. Soong will return to Moscow to resume negotiations. After his return from Moscow Soong told me that he doubted the advisability of returning to Moscow himself. At that time he suggested the advisability of having Dr. Wang Shih-chieh appointed Foreign Minister and sending him to Moscow. I told Soong frankly that I thought his plan not feasible and that he should personally conclude the negotiations. This morning in our conference with Soong and Chiang Kai-shek, Soong suggested in my presence the advisability of making Dr. Wang Minister of Foreign Relations and sending him [Page 953] to Moscow to conclude negotiations with Stalin. I opposed this on the grounds that Soong as Prime Minister is the only man in China other than the Generalissimo with proper hand to negotiate with Stalin. If Soong declines to go, sending a new Foreign Minister might have a damaging or perhaps a destructive effect on the negotiations. It was finally agreed that Soong would return to Moscow but it was suggested that Dr. Wang be appointed Foreign Minister and accompany him. This would be satisfactory. Soong is distressed about his political future. He fears the proposed agreement with the Soviet will be damaging to him personally. The first time I saw Soong after his return from Moscow he threw up his hands and said, “I am a broken man. I am personally ill from overstrain and overwork.” Later he said, “This proposed agreement with Soviet will be destructive politically to the man responsible for it.” There is every indication that the Generalissmo is anxious for a just, friendly and early agreement with Soviet. The Soviet Ambassador here states Soong agreed in Moscow that China will join Soviet in recognizing independence of People’s Republic of Outer Mongolia. As I heretofore advised you Chiang Kai-shek directed [possible garble] Soong to take this action. At the same time he directed Soong to obtain from Soviet modification of terms on railroads and ports in return for recognition of independence of Outer Mongolia. Perhaps it is this point that is distressing Soong. It appears that Soong has not yet obtained any modification in regard to railroads and ports.