793.003/1053: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:17 p.m.]
1577. Soong this afternoon informed Vincent33 that matter of preamble of new treaty had been settled and that with regard to a difference of opinion respecting Chinese translation of certain phrases, he had authorized Ambassador Wei to accept our translation (although he continued in the belief that the translation made here was preferable) in order that the treaty might be signed tomorrow. Soong stated that the British-Indian treaty would be signed tomorrow at noon by himself for China and by the British Ambassador and the acting agent of the Indian Government respectively. Texts of the treaty will not be released until midnight after signing. Soong stated confidently that our treaty would be signed tomorrow in Washington and expressed concern that requested summary of treaty for simultaneous release here with the British treaty had not yet arrived and said that Generalissimo would probably make a brief summary statement on treaty if summary is not received tomorrow.
British Ambassador confirmed to Vincent Soong’s statement regarding plans for signing treaty here tomorrow [and] said that his most recent telegram (December 30) instructed him that, although matter of preamble in our treaty had been settled, questions regarding Chinese translation had not and that American treaty would probably not be signed until January 4th or 5th. He said that his instructions were not to sign before the day on which the American treaty was definitely to be signed and that therefore, although he was allowing plans for signing tomorrow to proceed, he would not sign unless he had confirmation that the American treaty was also to be signed tomorrow.
- John Carter Vincent, Counselor of Embassy in China.↩