893.00/11–1748: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)
Telmar 174. For the Secretary. Ref Nanking tel 11 Nov 15 to Paris27 and Martel 146 Nov 17. It is our belief that Chi Govt proposal for appeal to UN re Soviet aid to Chi Comms (being made subject separate tel) is part general pattern developing recently. Other parts this pattern include Chen Li-fu’s suggestion of US Govt public statement of policy toward China (Nanking tel 2129 [2119] Nov 6 rptd Paris 8); FonMin request for official statement re bipartisan US policy (Nanking tel 2220 Nov 15 rptd Paris 11); T. F. Tsiang suggestion public statement by President or you re equal importance communism in China and Far East with that in Europe (Martel 146); and Amb Koo public statement Nov 16 announcing request of Gimo to President for public announcement US policy toward China.
It seems apparent Chi Govt endeavoring obtain public commitment which would involve US Govt responsibility and bind US morally to support present Chi Govt or possibly any successor regime or regional regimes regardless circumstances or our own national interests. Amb Koo public statement represents appeal over lead of US Govt to rally US public opinion behind this move.
We believe Deptel 1490 Oct 26 to Nanking (sent Telmar 96 in draft), President’s message to Gimo28 (Telmar 155) and Deptel 1616 Nov 15 to Nanking29 (rptd Paris Telmar 162) furnish adequate clarification US position. Pres message has made position clear to Gimo and Amb Stuart authorized by Deptel 1616 (which crossed Nanking tel 11 Nov 15 to Paris) to make that position clear to concerned Chi Govt officials. To announce publicly no possibility increased aid until Congress convenes Jan would do serious harm Gimo and Chi Govt. To make public statement implying additional aid for which no legislative authority exists would do disservice both US and Chi Govts.
Amb Stuart’s belief that clear cut statement US policy on Comm participation Chi Govt might conceivably provide inspiration resistance Comm advances in event Gimo retires from political scene to save south and west China from slipping behind Iron Curtain, at least for time being, is inconsistent with picture mil situation given in Nanking tels (Telmar 15730) where he states no significant regular forces south of Yangtze and continued mil resistance likely to be [Page 589] sporadic and generally ineffective if Capital falls. Nanking tel 2163 Nov 10 reports Gimo expresses confidence in victory but such confidence and desire fight not shared by any except Chinese closest to him who could not survive under Comm-dominated regime and whose confidence not deep. This tel also states bulk people and virtually all officials except Gimo and immediate entourage hold contrary views, are resigned to early Comm victory and believe immediate cessation fighting would be in best interest all concerned. In light this description situation, it is difficult to see how US Govt or anti-Comm forces could benefit at this stage by US official statement that we consider communism in China and Far East equally as important as in Europe or any other statement which by implication would similarly place US Govt in role of all-out defender of anti-Communist forces in China. That there could be any misunderstanding of this Govt’s attitude toward communism in any part of the world seems incredible. However, to make any public announcements at this stage of disintegration in China which would imply US action, without at the same time revealing to the American people a true picture of situation, would be misleading to the people of the US and would imply to Chi Govt and people action by this Govt which cannot materialize or which, if short of outright armed intervention, could not be effective and even if such intervention successful would not promise permanency.
We are advised President will wish to discuss Chinese situation with you next week and are preparing data for you.