Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume IX

893.01/10–1749

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs (Sprouse)

[Washington,] October 17, 1949.

Mr. Reuchlin²⁸ called by appointment this morning and handed me the attached document representing a note which, he said, the Netherlands Foreign Office had instructed its consular representative at Peiping to hand to Chou En-lai “within three or four days”. He explained that this probably meant that it would be delivered today or tomorrow. He said that he had been instructed by his Foreign Office to ascertain the Department’s reaction to the note.

I told Mr. Reuchlin that this note seemed to go far beyond what we considered desirable under present circumstances and that it, in fact, seemed to represent a departure from the common front agreed upon in the approach of the Western Powers to the Chinese Communists. I reviewed the British action in acknowledging the bid for recognition from the Chinese Communists and explained that we had merely instructed our Consul General at Peiping to acknowledge the note from the Communists and state that he was forwarding it to his government for consideration. I said that the Netherlands note seemed to be particularly undesirable in that its reference to the promotion of mutual trade would probably further the Chinese Communist view that the Western Powers considered trade with China vital to their interests. I asked that he convey this reaction to his Foreign Office and express the Department’s view that this seemed undesirable from the standpoint of the Western Powers in their relations with the Chinese Communists.

In reply to my inquiry, Mr. Reuchlin said that this note was probably sent after discussion of the matter with the British Government. He further stated that it was now probably too late to prevent the delivery of this note but that he would inform the Foreign Office of our views in this regard.

[Annex]

Draft of Note From the Netherlands Consular Representative at Peiping to Mr. Chou En-lai

The new situation resulting from the recent formation of the Central People’s Government forms an object of careful study by the Netherlands Government.

With a view to continuing the friendly relations which have always existed between the Netherlands and China, the Netherlands Government suggests that, pending completing of its study, the Netherlands consular officers in the territory under the control of the Central People’s Government take up informal contacts with the local authorities. In the opinion of the Netherlands Government such a provisional arrangement may contribute to the promotion of mutual trade and would be advantageous for both Governments.²⁹

28. Jonkheer O. Reuchlin, Netherlands Minister.
29. On November 1 the Department was informed by the Netherlands Embassy that the last word of this draft was changed from “Governments” to “peoples”.