893.01/5–1549: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:18 p. m.]
1025. With reference paragraph 5, Embtel 1018 [1019] of May 13,48 repeated Shanghai 568, Canton 411, we suggest that when time finally does come to accord de jure recognition to Chinese Communists, Department may wish try make such recognition contingent upon Communists [Page 24] signing detailed agreement along lines 1933 Litvinov Agreement with USSR.49
Some advantages which would accrue from this are: By pinning Communists down to certain specific minimal obligations, it would reduce their scope to misinterpret and quibble about generalities in manner characteristic of both Communists and Chinese. It would impress them that we are not intimidated by their truculence and that they and not we have most to gain by establishment of diplomatic relations. It would dovetail with Embassy recommendation (Embtel 921, May 3) that we do not take first step toward recognition. If agreement is sufficiently detailed, it would give US convenient and specific references on which to hang many protests against violations American rights which we must expect in Communist China.
Sent Department 1025, repeated Shanghai 574, OffEmb Canton 416.