761.93/537: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Bell) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 4—12:55 p.m.]
377. My telegram number 368, of September 27, noon. Chinese text Manchurian-Soviet Agreement received from Hanson. Preamble indicates contracting parties are “the government of the Three Eastern Provinces of the Chinese Republic” and Soviet Government. Article 1 in 15 sections concerns Chinese Eastern and incorporates without important change except in identity of contracting parties article 9, sections 4, 5 and 7 of the agreement on general principles [Page 511] and articles 1 to 9 of the railway agreement signed Peking, May 31st. Section 2, however, provides free reversion of railway to China at end of 60 instead of 80 years and that when mutually agreed further shortening may be discussed. Soviet agrees that after signature present agreement China shall be entitled to redeem the railway with Chinese capital at actual just value mutually determined. Section 15 provides that portions of the agreement relating to the railway shall become void after redemption of [or] free return indicated. Article 2 amplifies article 8 agreement general principles and provides that details shall be arranged by a conference of representatives of the contracting parties within two months, with special attention to safeguarding for China and Soviet, respectively, transportation of passengers and freight on lower Amur to the sea and on Sungari to Harbin. Articles 3, 4 and 5 are substantially the same as articles 7, 13 and 6, respectively, of general principles agreement substituting Manchurian for Chinese Government. Article 6 provides that all joint commissions named in the agreement shall begin operations within one month and conclude within six months unless otherwise stipulated. Article 7 states agreement operative when signed and of three texts, Russian, Chinese and English, latter authoritative in case of [dispute].