795B.00/2–2151: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
1214. Swiss officials and local diplomats having occasion for contact with the new Chinese Communist Minister and staff have informed me that the Chinese are obdurate in their refusal to be brought into any kind of political discussion. However, the Papal Nuncio today informed me that recently Zehnder (Swiss Under Secretary of State) in conversation with Chinese Minister raised question of Korea. The Minister surprisingly explained that Chinese Communist objectives in Korea were political; that Communists never expected to achieve military victory; and that they hope by prolonged engagement of American troops in Korea situation will develop conducive to mutual compromise. This smacks of ex post facto rationalizing, or “sour grapes” reasoning, but I report it for what it may be worth.