711.90/7–1249
Memorandum by the Ambassador at Large (Jessup) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Rusk)
My reaction to your suggestion of consolidating a united front in regard to China and the Far East generally is strongly affirmative.
As to method, I believe the first approach should be made either through our Ambassadors in the respective Capitals or through the Foreign Embassies in Washington. I do not think we should begin by having any kind of a meeting until there has been some exploratory conversation. I do not think it is feasible at this stage for me to make the trip suggested by Kennan in paragraph 12 of his memorandum of July 7.1 One of the first things would be to determine the list of countries to be consulted.
As to substance, I think we should discuss inter alia:
- 1.
- the problems of continued recognition of the Nationalist Government and of non-recognition of the Communist Government;
- 2.
- protection of nationals in Communist areas; and
- 3.
- trade with Communist areas.
I do not think that this effort to build a united front would preclude proceeding with some of the other steps suggested by Kennan in his memorandum of July 7. For example, I think his suggestion in paragraph 6 about the visit of President Quirino is good. I understand that the presidential election is in November and that a visit of Quirino here in the fall would be helpful to him. Query whether there would be any undesirable elements in having it known that the invitation had been issued so soon after the Generalissimo’s visit to Baguio. Offhand I should think not.
I should hope that we could also act upon some of the suggestions in Kennan’s paragraph 9 regarding Thailand.
I think we ought to keep up steady pressure on the French to promote favorable developments in Indochina and avoid a new Indonesian situation.
[Page 1154]I like very much Kennan’s suggestion in paragraph 14 for a University in Manila. This is the kind of psychological move which we rarely undertake and which can be particularly valuable in the Far East. Private foundations might be interested in assisting with this project.
I am quite unfamiliar with the Japanese Peace Treaty situation, but offhand it seems to me it would be very useful to press ahead with plans for a peace conference while we can still use the Nationalist Chinese Government even though the Soviet Union boycotts the conference.
I think we should make very special efforts in connection with Nehru’s visit in the fall. Columbia University is inviting him there, and I think some similar attention from some of our other leading universities might be highly desirable. I have personally supported Columbia’s invitation in a letter to Mrs. Pandit.