611.93/11–350
Memorandum by the Acting Officer in Charge of Political Affairs, Office of Chinese Affairs (Stuart)1
Subject: Possible Measure to Lessen Tension with Communist China
CA notes with deep concern the present aggravation of hostilities in North Korea and the growing possibility that we may be drawn into warfare with Communist China. It is not necessary to list the military and political problems which such a development would create for us. Clearly, major hostilities with Communist China would be contrary to our interests and to the interests of the Chinese people; such hostilities could only benefit the USSR and the Chinese Nationalists. With this in mind it behooves us to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to avert what would be at least a tragedy to the American and Chinese peoples, and might lead to a disaster for the United States, should war with China spring World War III.
It is very possible that if hostilities spread to Communist China, this will be pursuant to a coldly calculated decision by Peiping and Moscow to provoke such action as a step toward furthering world revolution. However, we should not assume that this is necessarily the case. We should, accordingly, make sure that no failure by the U.S. or the UN to make crystal clear their intentions contributes to the spread of hostilities. By taking what may appear to us unnecessary or repetitive steps to make our own intentions clear, we may prevent the spread of hostilities; and if hostilities develop notwithstanding our every effort we shall most certainly stand in a stronger position for having made the effort.
It is understood that a bill of particulars of Chinese Communist intervention in Korea is being prepared for submission to the UN. It is recommended that after this move in consultation with friendly delegations and at the earliest possible date we seek to obtain a UN resolution specifically (1) calling upon the Chinese Communists to cease intervention in Korea and (2) assuring the Chinese Communists that if they do so their Korean border will be inviolate and their [Page 1030] legitimate interests in matters relating to the frontier will be protected. We do not know whether a move of this nature might be best made in the General Assembly or the Security Council, but recommend discussion with UNA respecting this problem.2
Discussions should be initiated with friendly governments and particularly with the General Staffs of the NAT Powers regarding the new developments.