65. Telegram From the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bohlen) to the Department of State1
1207. Molotov received British Ambassador at Kremlin this morning and handed him memo setting forth Soviet’s comment and reply to British démarche (Embtel 1203).2 It has been wired to British Embassy Washington and will be available to Department there. After repeating briefly Soviet-Chinese version of causes tension and [Page 178] danger Formosan area, Soviet Government says it shares British opinion that SC should consider matter and has instructed its representative to that effect and that CPR would be invited. Presence latter necessary since it is object “aggressive action and interference” on part US.
Foregoing seems to imply that Chinese Communist representative will accept invitation to attend. Indeed, one purpose of Soviet resolution attempting to brand US with charges aggression etc., apart from obvious propaganda purposes may have been designed to provide face-saving cover for Chinese Communist attendance without retraction its position that Formosan question insofar as Nationalist Government is concerned is internal affair. It is by no means clear, however, that Chinese attendance would be conditional upon SC acceptance on agenda Soviet formulation of item and charges against US which would certainly appear unlikely. In any event, Soviet’s reply to British démarche and resolution to SC seems to reflect dual motive Soviet’s policy in regard to Formosa situation—namely, to support Chinese Communist position but at same time to seek means whereby major conflict can be avoided.