893.01/12–2349: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 23—5:16 p. m.]
5110. At Foreign Office this afternoon Dening95 stated that British formula for recognition Chinese Communists included simultaneous withdrawal de jure recognition National Government but expressing desire keep Consul in Formosa in de facto relationship with local authorities. He said Chinese Ambassador [in] London had been so informed December 19.
Dening said that during call Foreign Office yesterday evening French Ambassador had handed Bevin note from Schuman urging delay in recognition of Communists until after recognition Bao Dai. (Apparently note summarized in Paris 5366 to Department December 22.) Bevin reportedly told Massigli he would consider French request but pointed out that as British had brought urgently to French attention some six times since agreement of March 896 had been signed (he proceeded to enumerate them) necessity for early implementation this agreement, he saw no basis for French indignation at British precipitousness re China. Dening further reported Bevin this morning had decided to delay recognition until January 6 and that telegrams to this effect would be sent Washington and Paris later this evening. This decision assumably would be final due departure Bevin for Colombo December 27. Dening said Foreign Office had noted absence of reply from Secretary to Bevin’s note of December 16 one [on?] recognition. He mentioned in passing that India would recognize Communists December 30, and said Canadians were “naughty” in giving to press prior to communication to Foreign Office their decision delay recognition until after conclusion Colombo Conference (Embtel 5095, December 23, penultimate paragraph97).
After Dening’s departure Scott98 stated that next week question will be put to Attlee whether by that time there is sufficient evidence of transfer of power to Bao Dai to warrant confidential statement to French prior to recognition Communists that British plans grant de facto recognition Vietnam as associated state in French union. If [Page 241] so statement would be made and other Commonwealth countries would be asked at Colombo to join British in public statement to that effect. Scott had no confidence on getting other Commonwealth governments to agree, however. Formula would be for announcement of de facto recognition Bao Dai immediately after conference and simultaneous elevation of British Consul General [at] Saigon to rank of Minister but without actually establishing Legation there. Scott said Foreign Office would much appreciate knowing what Department has in mind.
By way of explanation British position vis-à-vis French, Scott said Pakistan has requested question recognition Vietnam be discussed at Colombo and therefore British could not make public statement before then. He feels convinced confidential statement will not satisfy French who want public declaration for internal political use in presentation law for implementation March 8 agreements.
Sent Department 5110, repeated Paris 1047.
- Maberly E. Dening, British Assistant Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Far East).↩
- France and the former Emperor Bao Dai of Annam reached agreement on the future status of French Indochina.↩
- Not printed; it summarized British press reports on the question of recognition, with particular reference to the Manchester Guardian.↩
- Robert H. Scott, Head of the South-East Asia Department of the British Foreign Office.↩