Office of the Historian

151. Telegram From Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson to the Department of State1

Geneva, February 18, 1956—3 p.m.

1509. 1. Three hour forty five minute meeting today.2 No progress whatever.

[Page 312]

2. I developed theme of paragraphs 2, 3, Department’s 1619,3 taking increasingly explicit position that proper interpretation self-defense clause is simply that each side is, on own behalf, making clear that declaration is made without prejudice to what it considers its inherent right individual collective self-defense, and does not in any way require other side recognize or accept merits of claims.

3. Wang entirely failed meet my point this regard, confined self to reiterating previous positions, however with intimation of plea we offer reformulation self-defense clause.4

4. Wang took initiative on implementation, confining self to and pressing hard on Chinese in United States prisons, their alleged lack information about agreed announcement, et cetera. Alleged we had refused Indian request transmit text announcement to imprisoned Chinese.

5. I replied by reiterating previous position on no Chinese being obstructed in return and contrasted situation 13 Americans.

[Johnson]
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/2–1856. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution.↩

  2. Johnson commented in telegram 1512 from Geneva, February 18, that the atmosphere was “even easier than last meeting” but that there was no sign of change in the Chinese attitude toward the self-defense clause. He also commented that Wang sensed “he may have struck soft spot with regard imprisoned Chinese and is pressing it to maximum” and that Wang’s response concerning missing military personnel was as expected. (Ibid.) In letter No. 23 to McConaughy, February 22, Johnson called the latter’s attention to “the ‘question’ Wang asked me at the last meeting (paragraph 11 mytel 1513). This is the best and frankest thumbnail summary of their position that he has given to date.” (Ibid., Geneva Talks Files: Lot 72 D 415, Geneva—Correspondence Re US–PRC, 1955–1956) Johnson’s telegram 1513 from Geneva, February 18 transmitted his detailed report of the meeting that day. Paragraph 11 reads as follows:

    “Wang said he asked that US make explicit answer as to whether it intent of US, after announcement of declaration, to maintain status quo of its seizure Taiwan and intervention China’s internal affairs, and its interference in China’s liberation Taiwan and coastal islands, meanwhile refusing hold foreign ministers conference.”

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  3. Supra.↩

  4. The reference is unclear. Near the end of the discussion of renunciation of force, according to Johnson’s telegram 1513, Wang commented as follows:

    “Wang said with regard January 12 draft of US side, he had made it clear at previous meetings that as regards self defense clause included in that draft, it not question of what sort of words to use to express that idea. He had said that it was substantive question with which we must deal.

    “Wang said if I genuinely hoped that we should make further progress in talks, then he would hope I would be able set forth more concrete opinions on basis their December 1 draft at next meeting.

    “Wang said if it my intention to insist on this clause regarding self defense in Taiwan area, and keep heckling about this clause in our discussions, he just didn’t see how we could make any progress in our discussions.”

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