795.00/11–950: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (Wilkinson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 9—6:53 p. m.]
1047. Wilkinson, Yager and Clough1 have repeatedly heard expressed by non-Communist Chinese the belief that Chinese Communists actually fear US intends invade Manchuria and that this is important reason for their intervention in Korea. Lieberman, NY Times correspondent who is serious student of China and has many Chinese contacts, strongly urges new statement be issued by President in attempt convince Chinese Communists we have no such intention. He feels statement should not be in form ultimatum but dwell on long-term friendship between Chinese and American people and deplore their fighting each other. It should emphasize we do not intend invade China but make clear that we cannot tolerate despatch of Chinese soldiers to obstruct operation UN forces in Korea. It should state that if Chinese Communists really believe we intend invade Manchuria, this belief is based on most pernicious and deceptive intelligence. Only statement by President, Lieberman believes, would get sufficient play in Far East press and have enough impact on Chinese Communists to offer hope of success.
Consulate General not sanguine that such a statement would influence thinking of Chinese Communist leaders. However, situation holds such dangerous potentialities that no possibly hopeful measure should be neglected. At very least, statement would place American position clearly on record and be useful weapon for psychological warfare. Implication that Chinese Communists misled by deceptive Soviet intelligence would strike responsive chord among Chinese. Of course, statement would have to be so phrased and timed as to not interfere with any action being taken by UN.
- Joseph A. Yager and Ralph Nelson Clough, Consuls at Hong Kong.↩