701.5193/6–2849
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Freeman)
Mr. Daridan65 called today at his request and referred to a question which I had asked on a previous occasion with regard to any plans which the French Government might have to recall Ambassador Meyrier in Nanking to Paris for consultation. Mr. Daridan stated that he had queried Paris on this point and had received a noncommittal reply from the Foreign Office. The French Government took the view, according to Mr. Daridan, that, as there was little likelihood of early diplomatic recognition of the Chinese Communist regime, no harm would be done by Ambassador Meyrier’s remaining in Nanking for the time being.
It was obvious from other remarks of Mr. Daridan that the principal reason for the reluctance of the French Government to withdraw their Ambassador at this time was based on the increasing Communist threat to southeast Asia and the possible necessity of dealing with the Chinese Communists in this regard. I gained the impression that the French Government is of the opinion that it must maintain all of the contacts which it presently has with the Chinese Communists in order to protect French interests insofar as possible.
In commenting on the situation in China, Mr. Daridan stated at one point that nothing can now be done to save the Nationalist Government in China—that no military, political or economic assistance would be of any use. He also gave as his opinion that the Communists have the capability of occupying Yunnan Province at any time and of proceeding across the border into Indo-China. Discounting the feasibility or advisability of employing military force, Mr. Daridan suggested that the U.S. Government give consideration to employing economic warfare techniques against the Chinese Communists should they give indication of plans to invade Indo-China or Siam.
I pointed out to Mr. Daridan the probability that the Communists would require a considerable period of assimilation following their conquest of China proper before they would consider the invasion of foreign countries. I stated, however, that the U.S. had for some time been considering the application of certain controls over trade with Communist China, not primarily with the idea that such controls would be utilized immediately but in order that the machinery would be available for use at any time when such action might be considered necessary. Mr. Daridan indicated interest in the progress of discussions on this matter and I assured him that he would be informed [Page 766] prior to any public announcement which might be made on this subject.66
- Jean Daridan, Counselor of the French Embassy.↩
- For documentation regarding trade controls, see vol. ix, pp. 817 ff.↩