893.01/5–449: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 5—2:17 a. m.]
936. When I called on British Ambassador yesterday (my first outing in one week28) he discussed desirability extending de facto recognition national basis to Communist Government promptly it is established. He appears to have received some policy guidance this respect from his FonOff and suggested calling meeting chiefs North Atlantic community to discuss. As Department would have seen from mytel 921, May 3 to Department, repeated Shanghai 490, Canton 341, I am strongly inclined against making any first move in establishing relations national Communist regime. I feel we should be in no hurry to extend any kind of recognition and fear premature decisions on North Atlantic community basis may prejudice flexible policy, freedom of action of us all. Furthermore I do not understand how de facto recognition on national basis could be extended to new regime without withdrawing recognition from Government [in] [Page 16] Canton which I for one am not prepared to recommend for immediate future.
I would be grateful Department guidance before next meeting Little Diplomatic Corps.
Sent Department, repeated OffEmb Canton 353, Shanghai 501, passed London 5.
- For the Embassy’s situation following Nanking’s occupation by Communists, see volume viii .↩