893.01/5–1749: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 17—7:51 a. m.]
1043. We have had several recent indications that our colleagues are, under present inactivity, ill-defined status, becoming restless and would welcome opportunity to recognize Commie central regime. Rumors reach us that Indian Govt intends to recognize Commie Govt fairly promptly after “decent interval”. French, we are informed, feel that their interests in Indochina would be better protected if they recognized Commie regime promptly, rather than otherwise. My Canadian and Netherlands colleagues have both expressed to me intention or desire to remain in Nanking and become accredited to new central government as soon as that is feasible. Certainly if chiefs of mission remain Nanking, there will be every personal reason to regularize their status through early recognition. I am afraid that personal considerations are not entirely absent in recommendations which some chiefs of mission are favoring on China policy. I was gratified to see instructions contained in Dept’s circular May 6 and feel I must emphasize again desirability of North Atlantic and Commonwealth group maintaining united front and forcing Commie central government, when it is established, to take initiative on recognition. I cannot but feel that it is in long-range interest of us all to require new regime to work for international recognition including recognition its international obligations and subscription to freedoms and liberties [Page 25] in spirit of UN Charter. Recognition will be our only lever. Once line is broken, once we begin according recognition we will have released what little bargaining power now is in our hands. Perhaps methods of persuasion other than purely Chinese considerations will occur to Dept. It is particularly important that London and Washington, and consequently Stevenson and I, have similar instructions and act in simultaneous accord. Some of smaller countries have intimated that they would be greatly embarrassed if Stevenson and I followed different courses with respect to withdrawal from Nanking or recognition. Deptel 589, May 13, repeated Shanghai 932, Canton 174, just received and will receive comment in separate telegram.
Sent Department 1043, repeated Canton 429, Shanghai 590.