Office of the Historian

60. Telegram From the Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson, at Geneva1

Washington, September 22, 1955—4:56 p.m.

766. Your 758.2

1.
Your general course of action for September 23 meeting as proposed reftel approved.
2.
Department strongly endorses your intention make vigorous representations regarding slow PRC implementation Agreed Announcement, and totally unsatisfactory status PRC arrangements for performance UK function. In fact such arrangements non-existent so far as US Government aware. Wang should be severely taxed with PRC non-compliance this obligation. It should be put to Wang that it pressingly incumbent upon PRC afford conclusive evidence American nationals, including those in jail, have been informed their rights under Agreed Announcement and that Office of UK Chargé has been given necessary advice and facilities by PRC. As to those in jail, we should insist that UK Chargé be given access to them, since they have no access to him. US Government does not care whether PRC calls this approach to UK Government invitation, notification or request. US Government unable see that this is more than mere quibble. Essential objective is inform Americans and enable UK Chargé to act. We will not allow this question rest until satisfaction afforded.
3.
Department requesting Embassy London inform you by direct cable if possible in time for tomorrow’s meeting whether written Foreign Office reply yet received to our note of September 12, and whether any word yet received by Foreign Office from PRC as to arrangements for performance UK function. Our reply to London’s 10343 has been delayed from day to day in anticipation early word [Page 98] from Peiping. Replies to London’s 1034 and 11194 will be repeated you in any event before tomorrow’s meeting.5
4.
Re paragraph 5 reftel concur most unlikely that discussion anything in regard to Item Two can appropriately take place at next meeting in view scope and seriousness our unanswered questions on implementation Agreed Announcement.
5.
Indian Ambassador called at Department September 206 to discuss Indian role. He reaffirmed Indian acceptance and satisfactorily cleared up all questions of interpretation which had occurred to him. Expressed appreciation for US assurances full cooperation. Said discharge Indian function will begin promptly.
6.
FYI. We are working on draft letter from you to Wang requesting accounting for 450 missing American servicemen, and on renunciation force study. These are for possible introduction next week or later.
7.
Re your 753,7 subject Secretary’s approval we have discarded idea of raising subject seized US Government properties on China mainland in course these talks. End FYI.
8.
Department believes we should concentrate efforts and attention on implementation Agreed Announcement. We question advisability devoting emphasis to demands for reports on health and welfare jailed Americans about which we could do nothing. Most constructive approach problem health and welfare prisoners would be their release. However, you may wish seek reason why Kanady8 has [Page 99] not yet departed and why Sister Dugay apparently unable leave Shanghai on SS Hunan (Hong Kong’s 630).9 We are suggesting to Maryknoll Mission that it repeat its orders to Bishop Walsh (your 761)10 apply for exit permit.
Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/9–2155. Secret; Niact; Limited Distribution. Drafted by McConaughy, cleared by Phleger and Sebald, and approved by Robertson.↩
  2. Johnson stated in telegram 758 from Geneva, September 21, that at the next meeting he proposed to give Wang all further available information on U.S. implementation of the agreed announcement, express dissatisfaction with the slow rate of PRC implementation, and express regret that because of this they had thus far been unable to turn to item two. He did not plan to use the authority sent to him in paragraphs 6 and 8 of telegram 745 to Geneva (Document 58) unless Wang informed him of the release of additional Americans and of PRC implementation of the announcement with respect to the United Kingdom. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/9–2155)↩
  3. Telegram 1034 from London, September 14, reported that O’Neill, commenting that he would be able to do little to assist the remaining American prisoners unless they were able to communicate with him, had asked whether the U.S. interpretation of the announcement would permit him to inquire concerning them. (Ibid., 611.93/9–1455)↩
  4. Telegram 1119 from London, September 20, reported that formal British agreement to assume the functions set forth in the agreed announcement would be conveyed in a letter from Macmillan and that the Foreign Office had requested clarification of the language of the announcement as to who was to extend the invitation. (Ibid., 611.93/9–2055)↩
  5. Telegram 1624 to London, September 22, stated that the Department considered the question of whether the Indian and British Governments were to be invited, notified, or requested to perform the allotted functions was a mere “quibble”. The Department had naturally communicated with both governments and assumed the PRC Government would do likewise. (Ibid.) Telegram 1625 to London, September 22, stated that the Department considered that the imprisoned Americans were in a special situation and that O’Neill should have access to them unless they were given unimpeded access to him. (Ibid., 611.93/9–1455)↩
  6. Mehta’s conversation with Assistant Secretaries Robertson and Allen was recorded in a memorandum of conversation by J. Jefferson Jones, September 20. (Ibid., 293.111/9–2055)↩

  7. In telegram 753 from Geneva, dated September 21, Johnson commented on the Department’s suggestion that restitution of seized American diplomatic and consular property on the China mainland be proposed as a subject of discussion under agenda item two. He stated, inter alia:

    “Listing item will inevitably be interpreted by ChiComs and others as possibly remote but nevertheless definite step in contemplation eventual recognition. From narrow standpoint continuation these talks and release Americans this would be useful. Principal adverse factor to be considered is effect in Taiwan.” (Ibid., 611.93/9–2155)

    ↩
  8. Dilmus T. Kanady, a businessman imprisoned in 1951, was among the Americans who were to be deported.↩
  9. Dated September 21. (Department of State, Central Files, 293.1111/9–2155)↩
  10. Dated September 22. (Ibid. 293.1111/9–2255)↩