893.01/10–1849: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Steere) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:26 p. m.]
968. Having read last paragraph Paris 4335, October 17 to Department, we inquired at Foreign Office concerning proposed Dutch action re Chinese Communist government which seemed to be diametrically opposed to what we had been told by Foreign Office twice recently. (See Embtels 881, October 4 and 937, October 12.) Acting chief Political Section apologized for not having informed Embassy of Netherlands’ decision to follow British pattern re contact with Communist government in Peking. Official said that Netherlands Embassies Washington, Paris and Brussels (but not London) had been instructed to approach respective Foreign Offices on matter with view to consulting before taking action. Official remarked that this was more in spirit of agreed cooperation than British approach to Chinese Communists.
Official stated that Department’s reaction had not been favorable and that Quai d’Orsay had been critical, but less than Department, of Netherlands’ proposed action.
He said that Dutch intend to go ahead and instructions will be sent to their representative in Peking to contact Communist Foreign Minister there. Dutch representative will not present written document but only suggest orally that contact be established and maintained between Netherlands consulates in China and Communist government.
[Page 136]Official said that Netherlands had not been precipitate [and had] not taken initiative in this matter. They still think, however, that the British did not play ball by taking action and informing other powers afterwards. Dutch official concluded by stating that Netherlands was being forced to establish contact with Communists because British had already done so.
Sent Department 968, repeated London 106, Paris 72, Moscow 6.