501.BB/11–849: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)
Gadel 95. In message from UK, apparently also sent to all members of Commonwealth and NAT, Brit have indicated they intend instruct UK Del to take no part in debate on Chinese case in GA and to abstain from voting. If UK and some or all of other Govts approached adopt this attitude, GA approval of proposed Res or any other constructive action will be highly unlikely and GA consideration of case will be reduced to mere formality. In that event continued US advocacy proposed Res would place us in undesirable isolated position.
In light above pls explore with UK Del possible reconsideration UK position to permit them at least to support proposal along lines Nine Power Treaty. You shld make clear that in general US shares UK doubts as set forth in memo that Nationalist complaint will help in upholding Nationalist authority, that successful case can be established, or that on basis present info strong support of Nationalists in debate wld be justified. However, you shld explain that in our view these considerations can be met and US–UK objectives in China, in UN and in overall world policy would be better served by support of GA Res along indicated lines than by attitude of abstention. You shld point out that proposed Res avoids unwarranted support of Nationalists or criticism of Communists but that in asserting basic Charter principles it also avoids appearing to favor Communist regime or condoning in Far East acts we condemn elsewhere. You shld indicate desirability in our view of some such affirmative guidance for disposal of case to avoid embarrassing developments and to minimize possible Soviet propaganda advantages. You shld also indicate desirability US–UK unity this matter and difficulties US wld face in abandoning its support at this stage of so mild a proposal as we suggest.
If, however, UK unwilling to modify its proposed position, Dept feels you shld insist that UK apprise Chinese soonest of their proposed attitude since this wld undoubtedly be important factor in future decisions of Nationalist Reps concerning case.
Dept also approaching UK Emb along above lines.