Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, China, Volume III

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

Geneva, April 26, 1956—3 p.m.

1818. 1. One hour 45 minute meeting this morning. Wang opened with a bare and flat complete rejection April 19 draft.² Gave no sign whatever any willingness compromise language nor of intent offer alternative formulation.

2. Made following points in presentation:

(a) Requires PRC recognize status quo Taiwan area and GRC treaty;

(b) If peaceful pursuit policy by both sides to be countenanced, including “US policy occupation Taiwan” what purpose served by peaceful negotiations?

(c) Mixes international dispute and domestic matter; and

(d) Failure couple Taiwan with FMC.

3. In rebuttal I made points contained paras 1 and 3 Deptel 1912,³ avoiding any invitation to Wang to produce new alternative. At close of considerable give and take in reply his statement our draft had not met their objections I stated their objections appeared to have two aspects. First was whether draft prejudiced their position and second whether declaration was to constitute unqualified renunciation of force all our disputes including dispute Taiwan area. Satisfied my draft fully met all objections based on first aspect. However, with regard second aspect, if PRC purpose is to retain ability use threat initiate force Taiwan area, I agreed draft does not meet PRC position and US never would meet that position. To do so would be complete perversion of whole purpose of declaration. Wang made no direct reply.

4. I made very strong statement on implementation along lines para 4 Deptel 1912.⁴ Wang replied along usual lines stressing “growing dissatisfaction Chinese people” with US implementation and during the exchange, in which I made points contained para 5 Deptel 1912 stressing Indian Embassy has not brought our attention single case obstruction he challenged me formally to state that “not single Chinese now imprisoned in US”.

5. Agreed Wang’s proposal next meeting Saturday May 5. Departing for Prague Friday morning.

[Johnson]

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/4–2656. Confidential; Priority. Transmitted without a signature.
2. See footnote 2, supra.
3. In paragraphs 1 and 3 of guidance telegram 1912 to Geneva, April 24, Johnson was instructed to press Wang to accept the April 19 draft declaration on renunciation of force. From the point of view of the Department, the draft “fulfills every essential requirement of the situation for each side”, and “represents serious attempt on US part to arrive at a formulation which would take into account the views of Wang’s side concerning form as well as substance”. Johnson was instructed to stress that “any conceivable objection to our draft can only be based on unwillingness to accept fully principle of non-resort to force”. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/4–2456)
4. Paragraphs 4 and 5 of telegram 1912 dealt with implementation of the September 10 Agreed Announcement. Johnson was instructed to add a “heightened note of insistence” to his presentation, noting the growing sense of outrage in both Houses of Congress over the Chinese failure to implement the agreement, and emphatically rejecting any allegations that Chinese were being obstructed from leaving the United States.