China had been divided by two forces from within—the old republic under Chiang Kai-shek, friendly with the United States, and Communist forces in the north, under Mao Tse-tung. “[Dr. Soong] discussed at some length the attitude of Soviet Russia,” according to Grew’s account of this May 14 meeting with Truman. The Soviets had allied with Chiang Kai-shek’s government during the war, but lately “there had been a change and the Soviet Government seemed to be supporting the Chinese Communists rather than the National Government,” Soong said. What was to keep the Soviets from supplying arms and
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