235. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, May 3, 19551
PARTICIPANTS
- Sir Roger Makins, British Ambassador
- The Secretary
- Livingston T. Merchant, Assistant Secretary, EUR
- Douglas MacArthur II, Counselor
- C. Burke Elbrick, Deputy Assistant Secretary, EUR
Formosa. The Ambassador said that the British Government greatly appreciates the Secretary’s recent statements regarding Chou En-lai’s offer to discuss the Formosan Strait’s situation with the United States. As the Secretary was aware, Trevelyan in Peiping had been instructed to sound out Chou on this subject. While the United [Page 539] Kingdom Government does not wish to engage in “back seat driving”, it was anxious to do anything it could to help. Trevelyan had not been able to see Chou as yet due to the fact that the latter had not yet returned to Peiping.
The Secretary said that he had observed the interest taken by the United Kingdom in this matter, as well as that of Krishna Menon and Mohammed Ali. He said that we had had no direct report of Mohammed Ali’s conversation with Chou and the Ambassador said that his Government was unaware of the exact details of that talk. The Secretary said that we are very anxious to produce a de facto cease fire in the area, perhaps without a formal agreement. A détente at this time might change the situation and it is in our interest to play for time. The suggested talks might help cool off the situation.
[Here follows discussion relating to the forthcoming British elections, disarmament, and a possible four-power meeting of heads of government.]
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793.00/5–155. Secret. Drafted by Elbrick.↩