893.01/10–749: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas)
3663. Within past two days both Fr and Ital Embs have approached Dept expressing concern over possible Brit recog of Chi Commies within near future. Recent editorials in London Times and Manchester Guardian plus press reports quoting “official circles” London have no doubt contributed to increasing concern. Fr particularly alarmed over possible dissolution common front re recog as Fr Emb apparently of opinion Fr Govt wld not be able withstand pressure for recog shld other major power break common front.
Ur info only, Dept has recd from Fr Emb fol text of what purports to be Brit Govt reply which according to Fr either was delivered or is to be delivered to Chi Commie auths Peiping in answer to Chou En-lai’s message announcing establishment of govt and bidding for recog by fon powers:
[Here follows text as printed on page 103.]
Dept considerably disturbed over designation in note of Chi Commie regime as “Peoples Govt”, suggestion that “informal relations shld be established” and fact that note sent from govt to govt. Although question whether note does in fact amount to de facto recog Chi Commies by Brit one of intent and therefore cannot be determined by Dept, wld nevertheless appear to be step in direction recog and therefore one which might properly have constituted subject for consultation our two Govts in accordance understanding reached in Bevin-Acheson conversations.
Without indicating to Brit you have text purported reply, Pls discuss with FonOff earliest opportunity US attitude toward Chi Commie note. You may state that US does not intend to transmit any reply to Chi Commies other than simple acknowledgment sent by ConGen Peiping to Chou (addressed to Mr. Chou En-lai) informing latter that note had been forwarded to US Govt as requested. You shld ascertain whether Brit have already or plan to transmit reply other than acknowledgment and indicate that if so question might [Page 110] properly be one for consultation betw two Govts in accordance with Bevin–Acheson understanding. Pls report reaction soonest.