 | | treaty was concluded, so to speak, with the consent of America and England. Keeping in mind this circumstance, we, within our inner circle, have decided not to modify any of the points of this treaty for now, since a change in even one point could give America and England the legal grounds to raise questions about modifying also the treaty's provisions concerning the Kurile Islands, South Sakhalin,
etc.
This is why we searched to find a way to modify the current treaty in effect while formally maintaining its provisions, in this case by formally maintaining the Soviet Union's right to station its troops at Port Arthur while, at the request of the Chinese government, actually withdrawing the Soviet armed forces currently stationed there. Such an operation could be carried out upon China's request.
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| | One could do the same with CCR [Chinese Changchun Railroad, which traverses Manchuria], that is, to effectively modify the corresponding points of the agreement while formally maintaining its provisions, upon China's request. If, on the other hand, the Chinese comrades are not satisfied with this strategy, they can present their own proposals.
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| | Mao Zedong: The present situation with regard to CCR and Port Arthur corresponds well with Chinese interests, as the Chinese forces are inadequate to effectively fight against imperialist aggression. In addition, CCR is a training school for the preparation of Chinese cadres in railroad and industry.
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| | Stalin: The withdrawal of troops does not mean that the Soviet Union refuses to assist China, if such assistance is needed. The fact is that we, as Communists, are not altogether comfortable with stationing our forces on foreign soil, especially on the soil of a friendly nation. Given this situation anyone could say that if Soviet forces can be stationed on Chinese territory, then why could not the British, for example, station their forces in Hong Kong, or the Americans in Tokyo? We would gain much in the arena of international relations if, with mutual agreement, the Soviet forces were to be withdrawn from Port Arthur. In addition, the withdrawal of Soviet forces would provide a serious boost to Chinese Communists in their relations with the national bourgeoisie.
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| | Everyone would see that the Communists have managed to achieve what [Nationalist Chinese leader] Jiang Jieshi could not. The Chinese Communists must take the national bourgeoisie into consideration. The treaty ensures the USSR's right to station its troops in Port Arthur. But the USSR is not obligated to exercise this right and can withdraw its troops upon Chinese request. However, if this is unsuitable, the troops in Port Arthur can remain there for two, five, or ten years, whatever suits China best. Let them not think that we want to run away from China. We can stay there for twenty years even.
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| | Mao Zedong: In discussing the treaty in China we had not taken into account the American and English positions regarding the Yalta Agreement. We must act in a way that is best for the common cause. This question merits further consideration. However, it is already becoming clear that the treaty should not be modified at the present time, nor should one rush to withdraw troops from Port Arthur.
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