July 30, 1945 archives: Top Secret

Premier T. V. Soong was back in Chungking last week. But what he and Generalissimo Joseph Stalin had talked about in Moscow was a top secret.

One version of the Soong-Stalin talks came from a French source. Primarily, the Chinese Premier had sought Russian support for China's fight against Japan and a Russian pledge not to recognize the Chinese Communist regime. Stalin indicated that he would give the pledge on three conditions : 1) China must be democratized through a coalition government worked out between Chungking and Yenan; 2) China must agree to special Russian rights in Sinkiang, Outer Mongolia and China's northern provinces; 3) China must agree to Korea's independence.

T. V. replied that China was ready to negotiate over "special regions." He implied that Russia could have back her pre-1937 railway rights in Manchuria. He suggested a condominium for Outer Mongolia (over which Chungking claims sovereignty). But its Soviet-dominated government must sign a mutual assistance pact with Chungking similar to the one it had signed with Moscow. He conceded that Korea should be independent. But T.V. could not agree to special political status for Russia in Sinkiang, which would jeopardize China's sovereign rights. Nor could he assent to naval or air bases for Russia in Manchuria. As to China's democratization, Chungking had long striven for it and for an understanding with Yenan. The Russians felt that a durable accord between Moscow and Chungking must be preceded by peace between Generalissimo Chiang's Government and the Chinese Communists. T.V., it was decided, would report back to Chungking, return to Moscow next month.