601.9193/11–1051: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Bowles) to the Secretary of State
1709. Deptel 874, Oct 24. Steere and I have talked with Panikkar re US natls Chi and generally re Commie Chi situation, policies and position Asia.
Panikkar gave us little new or encouraging info re US natls. He said Chi Commies had different views than Western world about activities of foreigners, particularly re security matters opposition to govt. Chi Commies unlikely take tolerant view of what they wld consider offenses on either count. Authorities were determined to compel fon recognition of Chi “great power” status in all respects, including compliance with Chi laws. CPG did not fol Western legal practices. Peoples courts now functioning did not provide for private legal counsel; charges not made until courts ready to proceed, etc. He did not react to mention inhumane treatment except to say that only in more serious cases were persons held in jail.
He admitted Amer natls in jail, under detention or house arrest probably more numerous than all other fon natls combined yet he was unable to forecast how rapidly their cases wld be dealt with. He intimated that no urgency wld be felt as long as hostilities with US forces Korea continued. He doubted that Commie authorities wld be inclined, because fon natls concerned, to dismiss charges and simply expel those involved. He said that any Catholics affected wld be likely receive very little consideration.
Panikkar’s remarks other matter in separate tel.1
- No such telegram has been found in the Department of State files. For a report of a conversation between Bowles and Nehru concerning China, see telegram 1661 from New Delhi, November 7, 1951, vol. vi, Part 2, p. 2186.↩