893.01/6–149: Telegram
The Chargé in Australia (Foster) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 1—9:46 a. m.]
111. Burton and Mclntyre of External Affairs asked me informally today whether, since my approach to them as reported Embtel 99, May 10, I had had any further word from Washington concerning US position on recognition Communist regime in China. I referred Secretary Acheson’s recent public statement.72 They said feeling was growing in Australian Government that regime is in China to stay, that West might as well face fact, and that continued refusal of [Page 33] recognition would destroy any chance of cooperation, however small, from regime and would drive latter fully into arms of Moscow. They added that, while Australia appreciated US belief that Chinese Commies are in closest dependent relationship with Moscow, Australian Government remains to be convinced of this. They added that Australia has suggested to UK that on economic and security grounds UK should consider leading movement for recognition, failing which Hong Kong may well be lost.
Please instruct my reply.
- On May 18, 1949, the Secretary of State at his press conference stated that the United States was studying the Chinese situation in consultation with other governments (Department of State Verbatim Reports of Press Conferences).↩