861.77 Chinese Eastern/429
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck) of a Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Chinese Minister (C. C. Wu)
Dr. Wu said that he had a telegram from his Government the contents of which he was instructed to bring to the attention of the Secretary. He then read what appeared to be an abstract. He said that the Russians had sent a force of airplanes and gunboats to Tungkiang (Linkiang) with 2000 infantry and 1000 cavalry. (Note: This city is located at the juncture of the Amur and Sungari Rivers, and is apparently on the Chinese side.) He said that they had sunk five Chinese gunboats and caused five hundred Chinese casualties. His Government wished to point out that, although the Russians have made these and other incursions into Chinese territory, the Chinese have at no time set foot on or fired into Russian territory. China wished to notify the Powers signatory to the Kellogg Pact and to affirm that if hostilities eventuate the responsibility lies with the Russians, the Russians having taken the offensive.
Dr. Wu continued, referring to the negotiations which have from time to time been attempted but which have been broken off. The Secretary thereupon stated that he very greatly regretted that the negotiations have so far come to nothing, particularly so as he felt [Page 340] that the issue over which, apparently, the Russians and the Chinese have failed to agree, namely, that of whether the appointment of new officials of the Railway shall take place before or take place after negotiations are entered into, would seem to be an issue of small consequence. Dr. Wu said that the real issue was that of the maintenance of the existing government in China. He said that the Russians were attempting in every way to undermine the government. He said that it was his personal opinion that the problem between China and Russia cannot be settled until the internal political problem in China is solved. The Secretary said that he realized that the two problems are interrelated and that trouble in relation to the one is bound to spread into and affect the other.
The Secretary then took occasion to refer to the subject of Russian prisoners at Harbin. He said that he realized that China and Russia had reciprocal grievances in connection with the matter of imprisoned nationals. He suggested that the Chinese might to advantage endeavor to effect an exchange of prisoners. Dr. Wu said that on this the Soviets are holding off. He said that the Russian persons whom the Chinese are holding prisoner are being held not as political prisoners or hostages but as criminals—because of acts which they had done in connection with the Railway. The Secretary observed that it seemed that many of the persons were wives and children: surely such persons were not accused of crimes in connection with the Railway. The Secretary said that, regardless of the reasons for their being held, it would probably be to China’s advantage to get them off their hands—perhaps just to take them to the border and discharge them into Russian territory. Dr. Wu said that if he had it to do he would like nothing better than to see China relieved of the responsibility and expense of “entertaining” them. The Secretary then said that his whole interest in this question was on behalf of peace, he solicitously hoped for peace between Russia and China.
The conversation then turned to another subject.
(Note: See memoranda of even date.7)
- Not printed.↩