795.00/7–2250: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 22-—8:54 a. m.]
189. AP correspondent reports that he attempted transmit news story along line that only solution Korean issue lay in seating Chinese Communists UN and that Soviets would accept no other formula. Censors expunged all phraseology which indicated that Soviets view seating Chinese Communists as only path to peaceful settlement. Correspondent then took different tack and wrote newsstory to effect that “way to peacefully settling Korean question not completely closed”, that door remains open, etc., and this was passed by Soviet censors.
While attitude censors obviously not conclusive evidence Soviet policy, foregoing would appear be further evidence that Soviets carefully keeping their position sufficiently flexible to allow retreat (mytel 183, July 21).
Department pass London, Paris. Repeated info London 63, Paris 51.