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

893.01/10–1749: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

Paris, October 17, 1949—7 p. m.
[Received 8:45 p. m.]

4335. Baeyens³¹ tells us delivery British note Chinese Communists came as no surprise to Foreign Office as British here had on October 5 shown them draft of note. (According to Baeyens, this information was telegraphed French Embassy, Washington.) French consider and so told British that note amounted to de facto recognition and was contrary to both letter and spirit of Washington conversations.

While he believes British action has strengthened position of those French circles advocating early recognition Mao government (including former French Ambassador and Military Attaché at Nanking), Baeyens’ personal view, which he says is largely shared by Parodi,³² is that French should not be stampeded into similar actions but should follow their previous policy of non-recognition pending assurances from Communists re observance of treaties, etc. He added that he did not think this was moment to break relations with Nationalist Government. He said decision on French position will be made next week “when I hope we will have a Foreign Minister”.

Dutch Ambassador called on Baeyens today and read him note “very similar to British note”. Dutchman was, however, unable to say when note had been or was going to be delivered in Peking.

Sent Department 4335, repeated London 724, Hague 52, Department pass Moscow 211.

Bruce

31. Jacques Baeyens, Head of Asia–Oceania Section of the French Foreign Office.
32. Alexandre Parodi, Secretary General of the French Foreign Office.