Office of the Historian

893.01/12–849: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State

Rome, December 8, 1949—1 p. m.
[Received December 8—9:49 a. m.]

4002. Re Embtel 3991, December 7. Netherlands Minister71 here has informed me that he does not believe his Government prepared to recognize Chinese Communist regime. This would seem at variance with opinion of Foreign Office. If De Bylandt is correct and Dutch attitude is indicative of policy of other Western European countries, I believe we could successfully dissuade Italian Government from following UK lead in recognizing Communist regime. On other hand, if a number of other countries go along with UK I believe efforts persuade Italian Government against recognition would be futile.

Dunn
  1. Willem F. L. van Bylandt.↩