893.00B/6–1049
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Richard E. Usher of the Division of South Asian Affairs
| Participants: | U So Nyun, Ambassador of Burma |
| Mr. Philip D. Sprouse, Chief, Division of Chinese Affairs | |
| R. E. Usher, SOA |
In response to a telegram from the Ambassador at Rangoon reporting the desire of the Burmese Government to be consulted on common front policies regarding the Chinese Communists, U So Nyun was invited to come into the Department to discuss the matter.
The Ambassador called on Mr. Sprouse at 3:30 p. m. on Friday, June 10. U So Nyun, after a few introductory comments, expressed [Page 38] the view that the Chinese Communists would probably “out-Tito Tito”. Mr. Sprouse said that there were no signs of “Titoism” in the Chinese Communists at the present time. He discussed in this connection the unhappy condition of a number of Chinese radicals who, while strongly socialistic, were not Stalinists but who had chosen to align themselves with the Chinese Communist party in preference to the Kuomintang. As the Communist party increases its hold on China, these marginal Communists are being disregarded in the making of Communist party policies. Mr. Sprouse did agree, however, that there are potential points of friction between the Chinese Communists and USSR which might become serious if the Chinese Communists succeed in establishing a Communist Government of China. In this connection he mentioned the fact that the Russians are exerting a good deal of control over Manchuria and outer Mongolia, and went on to say that the current Russian policy is imperialistic and that this would antagonize any Chinese Government in so far as it affected Chinese territory. Mr. Sprouse said that the U.S. is often accused of being imperialistic; but we have never had any territorial designs on China and, in fact, have never even had a concession there.
U So Nyun said that he did not think the Chinese population in Burma would sympathize with the Chinese Communists, because they were mostly businessmen and independent craftsmen. Mr. Sprouse said that, while this would appear to be the logical conclusion, the Chinese Communists are actively trying to win the favor of overseas Chinese and are having some success in doing so in many areas. The remittances from overseas Chinese back to China are very important in maintaining China’s balance-of-trade position and they are useful in other ways, and consequently the Chinese Communists will go a long way to accommodate the overseas Chinese communities.
U So Nyun then went on to say that while the Government of Burma is a Socialist Government, it is certainly not communistic and that foreign observers often overlook the fact, that the United Kingdom is more socialistic in its policies than the GOB.
U So Nyun then stated that he very much desired that Burma should be included in any consultation of interested governments on the formulation of common policies for dealing with Communists in China. He said that the threat of Chinese Communism was a problem of grave concern to Burma and that since they had so much at stake, being neighbors of China, he felt it was only right that the GOB should be included in any such consultations.
Mr. Sprouse then explained the common front policy in regard to the Chinese Communists. The policy consists of two points: (1) the interested powers will not make overtures to the Communists on the [Page 39] subject of recognition, but will leave the question of making the first approach up to the Communists; (2) the interested powers will consult among themselves before taking any action toward extending any form of recognition to any Chinese Communist Government which may be established.
U So Nyun said that Burma wants to do whatever the United States does with respect to recognizing or not recognizing the Chinese Communists; that Burma was certainly glad to adhere to the common front policy.
Mr. Sprouse said that we appreciate very much this expression of the view of the GOB favoring adherence to the policy.
The Ambassador seemed, however, to be disappointed that the common front policy was not broader in its scope. He produced some newspaper clippings from his pocket and read certain passages stating that consultations were taking place among interested governments on policy matters of mutual interest vis-à-vis the Chinese Communists. He said these were the consultations in which Burma would like to be included. Mr. Sprouse said that those newspaper reports were merely greatly exaggerated accounts of the common front policy consultations which he had just described to the Ambassador. He stressed the fact that these consultations had taken place almost entirely in Nanking and that he understood that the Burmese Ambassador there had taken a leading part in some phases of these consultations. Mr. Sprouse went on to explain that talks such as we were now having with the Ambassador constituted the extent of the consultations which had taken place in Washington. He went on to explain that we had talked here as often as once a week with the French and British, but that the talks with these countries were limited in content to a few mutual problems which were peculiar to these countries.
U So Nyun appeared to be satisfied with this explanation, saying he is well aware of the tendency of news reports to exaggerate matters of this kind. He said that, as a matter of fact, the Siamese Ambassador81 had told him that Siam’s consultations had been limited to one appointment which the Siamese Ambassador had requested. So Nyun observed that, of course, anyone is free to come in and have consultations at any time on any subject.
The Ambassador then referred to his newspaper clippings again and read further passages from which he adduced the views that the consultations mentioned were centered upon some more deeply significant question than that of recognition. He said that Burma would [Page 40] be vitally interested in any talks among the nations about common defense measures against possible Chinese Communist aggression.
Mr. Sprouse stated emphatically that there had been no talks whatever on that subject.
The Ambassador thanked Mr. Sprouse and stated that he would inform his Government of this conversation.
Note:
On Thursday, June 16, U So Nyun called me by telephone and stated very emphatically that he would like to remind Mr. Sprouse and me of his interest in being included in any consultations which might take place in Washington regarding common policies toward the Chinese Communists. He said that he felt that Burma was entitled to be included in any such consultations because it should be entirely clear where the GOB stands on the question of Communism. I said to the Ambassador on this occasion that I could add nothing to the assurances which Mr. Sprouse had already given him regarding the nature of the consultations which were taking place and that Burma is being included in these consultations. The Ambassador indicated that he was satisfied on that issue, but he wanted me to be sure to inform him of any additional consultations which might take place. I made no direct reply to this statement.
- Prince Wan Waithayakon.↩