761.93/8–2649

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Sprouse)

secret
Participants: Dr. V. K. Wellington Koo, Chinese Ambassador
Mr. Rusk, Deputy Under Secretary
Mr. Sprouse, CA

Ambassador Koo called today by appointment and devoted the entire conversation to the question of the proposed Chinese Government [Page 150] appeal to the United Nations regarding Soviet violations of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of August 1945. He explained that no definite decision had yet been reached by the Chinese Government in this regard but that the decision would probably depend upon the attitude of the friendly powers, particularly the United States, and that he wished to ascertain the Department’s views with respect to such an appeal. When he referred to the conversation of the previous day1 between Mr. Tsui, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, and Mr. Sprouse, the latter reviewed briefly the statements he had made to Mr. Tsui on this subject, indicating that these views had been communicated to the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations at New York for passing on to Dr. T. F. Tsiang.

Mr. Rusk explained that the statement, referred to by Mr. Sprouse and transmitted to New York, that the Department “assured its support in principle” was intended to mean that it could not assure one hundred percent support on all details of the case, pending fuller knowledge of the nature of the case and the supporting evidence. He further explained that there might be some points on which the Department would be in a position to give full support, provided that the Chinese Government’s supporting evidence justified such a course, but that there might also be other points which the U.S. Government could not support.

Ambassador Koo pointed out that the Chinese Government was considering two possible courses of action: (1) An appeal to the Security Council charging that Soviet actions were a threat to the peace and (2) an appeal to the General Assembly regarding Soviet violations of the Sino-Soviet Treaty. Further discussion indicated that the Chinese Government would probably follow the second of these two courses in the event that it decided to present an appeal to the United Nations.

Mr. Rusk informed the Chinese Ambassador that the Department would be interested in obtaining more information regarding the Chinese case and explained that the Department had not yet had time to study the question in detail. When Ambassador Koo said that the Chinese Government was also approaching the British and French Governments with a view to ascertaining their views and suggested that the Department might wish to get in touch with those governments in this regard, Mr. Rusk said that the Department had not yet received any information regarding the views of the two governments named but that the Department would seek to obtain the British and French reactions to the question.

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During the ensuing general conversation with respect to the nature of the Chinese charges and the possible complications that might result from a Chinese appeal to the United Nations, Mr. Rusk emphasized that it was extremely desirable to be aware of the possible pitfalls and of the ends to be sought from such action. In conclusion, Ambassador Koo said that he would continue to keep in touch with the Department in regard to this matter.

  1. Supra.