139. Telegram From the Ambassador in the Philippines (Spruance) to the Department of State 1
2318. For Secretary from Robertson. After your departure from President Chiang’s house March 3 I had short conversation with him at his request. Rankin was also present. He asked me about British position on various matters—referring to your earlier remark about present UK opposition to pressing for action in the Security Council on New Zealand resolution, he asked reason for this. I replied in my opinion UK earnestly desired find peaceful solution Taiwan question and wanted explore every avenue this end; that while UK did not consider off-shore islands worth fighting for UK conservative government firmly supported our position keeping Taiwan and Penghu out of Communist hands. I further stated UK had apparently become seriously concerned about Communist objectives in Asia; also if New Zealand resolution were argued and voted on and presumably vetoed by Soviets, resolution introduced by Soviets would then come up which British naturally do not desire. Chiang asked if this meant US and UK positions on Far East in general had drawn closer together. I replied, psychologically, although there was still the basic cleavage on policy relating to Red China. I then pointed out current political difficulties of conservative government and importance of not adding to their embarrassements, adding that whatever differences in views between US and present UK Government relating Far East policy a Labor government would be immeasurably more difficult deal with.
[Page 329]Lastly President Chiang brought up for discussion recent changes in Soviet Union. He expressed definite opinion military dictatorship had taken over with Bulganin and Zhukov2 effectively in power and Khrushchev of secondary importance.