893.01/11–1449
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs (Sprouse)
| Participants: | Mr. Ralph E. Collins, Second Secretary, Canadian Embassy |
| Mr. Merchant, Deputy Assistant Secretary | |
| Mr. Sprouse, CA |
Mr. Collins called today by appointment and stated that he had been instructed by his government to inform the Department of the Canadian Government’s reaction to the British note of November 1 regarding recognition of the Chinese Communist regime. He said that the Canadian reply, which had already been sent to London, expressed the opinion that recognition should come sooner rather than later. He explained that this decision had not yet received Cabinet approval. He continued that the Canadian Government had weighed the pros and cons of the question and had decided that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. The Canadian Government was, however, of the opinion that recognition should not be extended prior to the adjournment of the General Assembly. He stated as his personal opinion that the Canadian Government contemplated recognition shortly after the first of the View year. Asked [Page 192] whether the Canadian Government expected to extend recognition without any assurances of respect for international obligations or of minimum standards of conduct on the part of the Chinese Communist regime, Mr. Collins replied that the Canadian reply to the British had indicated that the criteria of control of territory and acquiescence of the people seemed to be fulfilled and that no reference had been made to the question of obtaining commitments from the Chinese Communist regime. He asked what the reaction of the U.S. Government was to this question.
Mr. Merchant stated that we appreciated being informed of the Canadian action in this regard and explained that the Department felt that the maintenance of a common front on this question by the interested Western powers was to the advantage of all concerned. He said that the U.S. Government obviously could not and would not consider the question of recognition so long as the Communists subjected Consul General Ward to the treatment now being given to him. Mr. Sprouse referred to the Smith–Bender case22 and to the refusal of the Chinese Communists to issue an exit permit to General Soule and pointed out that the general treatment of U.S. officials in China by the Chinese Communists had been such as to raise serious doubts regarding the future treatment of foreign officials in China. Mr. Merchant characterized such treatment as completely uncivilized and added that, even should such “barbarisms” be removed tomorrow, there was no reason to believe that the U.S. Government would immediately give consideration to recognition. He emphasized the desirability of at least obtaining some indication from the Chinese Communists that they were prepared to live up to normal standards of international conduct. He pointed out that the treatment of Consul General Ward actually should be of concern to all the friendly Western powers even though this particular case affected only a U.S. official. Mr. Sprouse pointed out that even though any assurances that could be obtained from the Chinese Communists might be worthless, it seemed foolhardy for any power to rush into recognition in the face of present Chinese Communist actions. He pointed out that it was not to the advantage of any government to extend recognition hastily. Mr. Merchant said that obviously it would be desirable for all the friendly Western powers to take a common stand in the matter, but that, of course, it was realized that the thinking of the various concerned powers was based upon their own interests in the matter.
Mr. Collins said that he would inform the Canadian Government of the views of the Department in this regard.