147. Telegram From the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bohlen) to the Department of State1
1509. British Ambassador saw Molotov yesterday to deliver to him orally British reaction to observations of Soviet Government of February 26 (Embtel 1400).2 Hayter was instructed merely to tell Molotov that British Government was continuing its efforts to find some mechanism for dealing with Formosan question and to express hope that Soviet Government would likewise continue its efforts in that direction.
Molotov replied that process was slow but that efforts should continue and then made the amazing statement that at least one thing had emerged from the exchanges between British and Soviet Governments and that was that Chiang Kai-shek’s regime would not be represented at any conference or meeting.
Although Hayter had no instructions on this point, he immediately told Molotov that this did not represent the view of his government and referred him to Eden’s latest statement in House of Commons on subject. Molotov then dropped the point.
Hayter’s impression of this surprising and even for Molotov somewhat crude attempt to associate British Government with Communist position on this point was that it might be reflection of Soviet desire to show Chinese that it was worth-while continuing to explore possibilities through diplomatic channels. This, of course, is mere supposition on Hayter’s part based on impression he has received in these exchanges with Molotov.
Assume Department will receive from British Embassy Washington, as in past, Hayter’s account of interview.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793.00/3–1055. Top Secret; Priority. Received at 11:17 a.m. Repeated for information to London.↩
- Document 133.↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩