310.2/4–554: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) to the Department of State
581. Re Chinese Representation. We must assume that Vyshinsky, as president of the Security Council, will raise the question of Chinese representation at the first possible opportunity and in a way to cause us the maximum amount of embarrassment. The overwhelming magnitude of this question makes it essential that we be thoroughly prepared and that we anticipate all of the various ways in which Vyshinsky can raise the issue and what is the best way for us to meet it.
Two methods which he obviously can use are: (a) to make a ruling that T. F. Tsiang cannot sit and (b) to place an item on the provisional agenda to the same effect. (See Malik’s attempts August 1950).
Common sense and regard for truth indicate that this is a substantive question of the most substantial kind. We must be prepared to deal with this issue too.
For all these reasons, it is urgent that I have all the best possible legal advice from Washington. I hope particularly that Stein, Gough and Meeker and anyone else whom you think should participate come to New York at the earliest possible opportunity so as to get this whole thing nailed down.