Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, China and Japan, Volume XIV, Part 1

611.95A241/11–2954: Telegram

No. 414
The Consul General at Geneva (Gowen) to the Department of State¹

confidential
niact

Geneva, November 29, 1954—8 p.m.

408. My telegram 404.² Accompanied by Shillock and Jason as secretary I met with acting Chinese Communist Consul General Shen Ping, acting Consul Li Kwang, the secretary Hsu, and recorder and interpreter Yeh at 4:45 this afternoon at Hotel Beaurivage here. We were informed Chinese Consul General was out of town (this we had reason to believe was true). I immediately registered strongest possible protest pursuant Deptel 423.³ I spoke in French this being agreed language. After I had said few sentences of protest Chinese party seemed taken aback and Li Kwang then started reading from Chinese notes. I drowned him out by continuing my protest in loudest tone. When I had completed Li Kwang then resumed reading his notes for 10 minutes. This statement was hurriedly translated by Hsu into French while other Chinese took notes. Gist Chinese reply was imprisoned Americans were spies who had violated Chinese laws and territory and had accordingly been arrested and sentenced to prison terms under Chinese law. Here I interrupted stressing flagrant violation by Chinese Communists of international law and terms Korean armistice agreement which Chinese command had accepted and signed Panmunjom July 27, 1953. I recited facts stated radio bulletin November 26 also stressing Chinese Communist violations of Geneva conventions 1929 and 1949, which Chinese Communists had repeatedly claimed they abide by. Chinese response to this was repetition of groundless statement they had previously made re arrest and imprisonment Americans concerned.

They added with emphasis efforts to obtain repatriation all Chinese students in USA had failed even though some students had appealed to President Eisenhower. I said this statement was not correct as some students had been authorized to leave US while names of others were being checked as we had previously explained at a former meeting here. I also pointed out Chinese students had not been unlawfully treated in any way. I then asked Chinese why they had not previously made any reference to these imprisoned Americans pursuant to terms Korean armistice. No answer was forthcoming. But here again notes were made of what I said.

I emphatically rejected all the Chinese had said against these Americans and vigorously repeated protest.

After consulting among themselves Chinese said they could not receive protest. I said they had noted it and written it down and that all proper efforts would be made by my Government to obtain the release of these 13 Americans who had been unlawfully detained and imprisoned. Meeting thus ended at 5:45 with the Chinese mumbling among themselves and apparently at loss to decide if they had anything else to say.

No press inquiries thus far today. Would appreciate receiving text by niact any statement Department may issue this meeting.⁴

Gowen

1. Repeated for information niact to London.
2. Telegram 404 from Geneva, Nov. 29, reported that a meeting with the Chinese had been scheduled for that afternoon. (611.95A241/11–2954) The Consulate General had requested a meeting on Nov. 24, but the Chinese had replied that that day was “inappropriate” for a meeting and that they would notify the Consulate General when they decided the time was appropriate; reported in telegram 394 from Geneva, Nov. 24. (611.95A241/11–2454)
3. Document 406.
4. Telegram 446 to Geneva, Nov. 30, transmitted the text of a statement made by a Department press officer that day. (611.95A241/11–3054)