Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume IX

893.01/6–1649

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State

June 16, 1949, 3:00 p.m.

[Extract]

Meeting at Quai D’Orsay,⁸⁴ June 16, 1949—3:00 p. m.

Participants:	Mr. Acheson
	Mr. Bohlen85
	Mr. Schuman
	Mr. Parodi

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

China

Mr. Schuman said he thought it was essential that our two Governments keep in contact in regard to our attitude toward the future Government of China and particularly on the question of recognition. He said they had had no contacts with the Chinese Communists but that in their opinion it would be possible if handled correctly to obtain guarantees from the Chinese Communist Government to respect the frontiers of Indochina when the question of recognition arose.

I told Mr. Schuman that I felt strongly that all the Western powers should keep in contact and should maintain a common front in regard to the developments in China and particularly any question of recognition. I told him that we had received a number of informal feelers from Chinese Communist officials but had not responded.⁸⁶

84. French Foreign Office.
85. Charles E. Bohlen, Counselor of the Department.
86. See vol. viii, “Political and military situation in China”, chapter V.