Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, United Nations Affairs, Volume III

310.2/5–2553

Memorandum by the United Nations Adviser, Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs (Bacon)¹

secret

[Washington,] May 25, 1953.

• Subject:
• Chinese Representation and the Knowland Resolutions.²

There was a discussion Friday afternoon by UNP, L/UNA, FE and EUR of the problems presented for the Department by Senator Know-land’s resolutions. These resolutions call for withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations in the event that Communist China is seated.

The two attached drafts² were discussed: (1) outlining possible arguments which might be used when Congress asks for comments on the Knowland resolutions and (2) a general statement which the Secretary might issue giving our position on the Chinese representation question.

In connection with the first draft it was pointed out that the Knowland resolutions apparently contemplate permanent withdrawal of the United States from the Organization rather than a temporary walk-out on the Soviet model. Some doubt was also expressed concerning Point 5 of the first draft both as to whether the argument was factually correct and whether it was a useful one to use at this time. (Note: I believe that the presence of the Chinese Communists on UN organs might have a more serious effect than indicated in Point 5—especially in connection with probable Chinese Communist charges with regard to U.S. military aid programs to China.)

There was otherwise general agreement on the tenor of the position to be taken on the Knowland resolutions and UNP is to work on a rephrasing of the points. Additional arguments or a new approach would, of course, be welcome.³

The second draft attached attempts to present our position on Chinese representation question in a framework which might be as persuasive as possible among UN members generally. Specifically, it attempts to answer the question whether we intend to oppose the seating of the Chinese Communists indefinitely. Clearly, the second draft requires much working over and again any ideas and suggestions would be welcomed by UNP.

1. Addressed to the Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs (McConaughy) and the Deputy Director (Martin).
2. These were Senate Resolution 112 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, providing for the recall of representatives of the United States from the United Nations and withdrawal of U.S. membership in the United Nations and all organs and agencies thereof in the event that Chinese Communist representatives were seated in the United Nations. Not attached to source text.
2. These were Senate Resolution 112 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, providing for the recall of representatives of the United States from the United Nations and withdrawal of U.S. membership in the United Nations and all organs and agencies thereof in the event that Chinese Communist representatives were seated in the United Nations. Not attached to source text.
3. In the political files for 1953 of the Office of Chinese Affairs there is a copy of “Draft Reply to Sen. Knowland 5/29/53”, not printed (lot 58 D 395, CA files, “Chinese Representation at the UN, 1953”). As it does not seem to correspond to either of the two drafts as described here, it possibly represented “a new approach”. The problem seems to have been overtaken by events; see “Notes …”, June 2, infra.