310.2/7–3053: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State
455. Re Deptel 501; July 29 [28].1 Similar query received from British Embassy Washington. Foreign Office instructing them that statement made in heat of supplementary questions concerning Korean armistice agreement. Lloyd’s comment in answer to Greenwood’s (Labor) request for assurance UK would “lose no opportunity at all of pressing upon UN desirability of recognizing Republican Government of China and of admitting her to UN at earliest opportunity.” Lloyd’s statement quoted reference telegram prefaced by statement: “That is a matter upon which views of HMG are well-known.” Lloyd’s reference to discussion should be interpreted as “private discussions with other friendly governments” and entire comment should be read in sense of “in due course.”
Foreign Office official (Addis) stated to Embassy officer that he prepared give assurances that UK position taken in tripartite discussions and Salisbury statement of July 13 unchanged and that UK has no intention of raising matter August 17 session of GA. Addis commented that exchange in Commons so rapid, particular phrasing of Lloyd’s answer not noticed and caused no reaction either side of House. Agrees answer was ambiguous and unfortunately worded.
Department’s attention invited to Lloyd’s answer to another question same day in which he stated: “So far as recognition by others is concerned, that is matter which will have to be dealt with in the course of or after the political conference.” Also Butler in Commons on 29 stated “… this question depends upon taking the views of the other nations concerned. No doubt preparatory discussions will be taken at UN Assembly, and we have always taken the view that the recognition of the People’s Government does not follow automatically from the conclusion of an armistice but should be decided at the political [Page 685] conference.” Foreign Office states that again Butler’s reference to UN Assembly does not apply to August 17 session.
- The Department of State had queried a statement made in the House of Commons by Minister of State Selwyn Lloyd (as reported by the New York Times) that Chinese Communist admission into the United Nations “is certainly matter which must be considered and dealt with by UN.” (310.2/7–2853)↩