Office of the Historian

790B.00/9–1950: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Burma 1

confidential
Washington, September 19, 1950—5 p. m.

177. Re Embtel 188 Sep 16.2 In absence evidence that treatment Seagrave is contrary Burm law or standard generally practiced by civilized nations believe you can not protest to FonMin or PriMin or insist on bail as matter of legal right. You must therefore make firm appeal on humanitarian and polit grounds for release on bail and adequate medical and dental attn. You may firmly impress upon GOB verbally that “apparent tendency to employ devious legal maneuvers” occasioning US concern and give warning that undue harshness in dealing with case is certain to have even more serious effect on public opinion this country toward Burm and result in pressure on Dept for review US position vis-à-vis Burm. Several members Cong and senators already expressing active interest in case and unduly harsh treatment being received by Seagrave.

For your info Amer press reaction so far has been less than expected and nothing has been published which wld be useful for purpose impressing GOB. Durdin msg transmitted Catledge3 and may have effect bringing out stronger comment. TimeMag also confidentially considering feature treatment with cover picture Seagrave. Dept will endeavor stimulate press interest in case. Suggest you encourage Amer press reps Rangoon submit stories more critical GOB handling of case. Any useful press comment will be sent by tel.4

Webb
  1. Secretary Acheson was in New York attending the Fifth Session of the NATO Council and conferring with Foreign Ministers Bevin and Schuman. Documentation on these discussions is scheduled for publication in volume iii.↩
  2. Not printed; in it Ambassador Key reported that he had talked with Thakin Nu about the arrest on August 15 of Dr. Gordon Seagrave, an American missionary doctor in northern Burma, for “activities dangerous to the state,” and the Prime Minister had stated that “he would look into the matter of bail and see what could be done.” Key indicated further that he had done everything to avoid the appearance of criticizing the Burmese Government’s handling of the case, but that this policy had not yielded results. He now recommended an official approach to the Foreign Office or even to the Prime Minister, and further recommended that the American press be encouraged to give full publicity to the questionable aspects of Seagrave’s case. (790B.00/9–1650)↩

  3. In telegram 188, Key had transmitted the following message from Tillman Durdin, New York Times correspondent in Rangoon, to Turner Catledge of the Times in Washington:

    “Privately Seagrave case appears unjustified political and personal persecution, possibly backed by Burma elements inimical good Burmese-American relations. Best possible play for story there might help grave injustice Durdin.”

    ↩
  4. In October, the American Embassy succeeded in obtaining Seagrave’s release from jail for house arrest in a private home and helped secure witnesses and documents necessary for his defense. The trial began October 12 and continued into 1951 with Seagrave maintaining his innocence. Further documentation on the arrest and trial is in file 790B.00.↩