Cable, Summary of Averell Harriman Meeting with T. V. Soong

PARAPHRASE OF NAVY CABLE JULY 1, 1945 FROM MOSCOW

TOP SECRET

TOP SECRET AND PERSONAL FROM HARRIMAN FOR THE PRESIDENT AND THE ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE:

Reference White House Message No. 307 June 29.

This morning I called on [T.V.] Soong at his request. He told me that he and his Ambassador had been received last night by Stalin with Molotov and the Soviet Ambassador to China present. Soong delivered a letter from Chiang [Kai-shek] which stated that Soong was fully authorized to speak in the name of and on behalf of the Generalissimo on all matters. Soong referred to the cordial relations that had previously existed between Russia and China and expressed the desire that these relations should be reestablished, emphasizing their importance to China. Stalin agreed and stated that such relations were equally important to the Soviet Union. The conversation was general and it was agreed that at the next meeting, which Soong expects to be on Monday, detailed discussions should commence.

I was informed by Soong of his conversations in Washington and the Generalissimo's reaction to his conversations with Hurley. He said he would keep me fully informed of his negotiations with Stalin. I urged him to attempt to reach full agreement on all outstanding subjects as I believed that a better opportunity than the present would never present itself.

Soong discussed with me his problems in detail and I believe I will be in position to report intimately the developments of the negotiations. I will therefore continue, unless instructed otherwise, to use the navy channel of communication in order that the security of messages may be guarded as in the case of messages to and from the White House.

RPM