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

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

Geneva, October 20, 1955—1 p.m.

910. 1. Two hour twenty minute meeting this morning, somewhat over hour of which devoted to implementation.

2. I made prepared statement along lines para one Deptel 914² and including info on O’Neill’s inability perform functions contained Deptel 933.³

3. During considerable give and take in which he said nothing new, I strongly stressed to Wang increasing seriousness present situation, increasingly unfavorable effect it would have on other aspects these talks, referred to increasingly hard tone American press and read portion of letter I had received from mother of Father Houle.⁴ Theme was Americans believe announcement meant what it said and as time passes with no results in this our first common public act, he must expect strong reaction. Conviction 19 being held for political purposes strengthened by continued reference PRC public statements on “improvement of relations” as factor in timing release. Believe I was successful in some degree impressing on him seriousness with which we view situation.

4. I then made prepared statement on renunciation of force along lines paras 2 and 3 Deptel 914.⁵ Wang replied with short prepared statement to effect our proposal was abuse non-recourse to force principle in international relations to prevent their exercise of sovereign rights in Taiwan, Taiwan was domestic problem, discussion inadmissible in scope these talks and mere statement principle cannot resolve tension in Taiwan area. Deeds, that is US withdrawal from Taiwan, required. Repeated theme “circumstances permitting Chinese government willing to strive for liberation Taiwan by peaceful means”. In give and take he regularly spoke of “American invasion and armed occupation of Taiwan”. Rejected any parallel between Taiwan situation and other divided countries. PRC “will never recognize status quo”.

5. I ignored challenge our policy and kept coming back to theme first and fundamental step was non-recourse to force declaration to which his reiterated reply was withdrawal US forces in implementation US acceptance of principle non-recourse to force or threat of force.

6. Next meeting Thursday October 27.

7. I am departing for Prague Saturday returning Geneva Tuesday.

[Johnson]

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–2055. Confidential; Niact; Limited Distribution. Received at 10:33 a.m.
2. Telegram 914 to Geneva, October 18, transmitted to Johnson Department guidance for the October 20 meeting. The first paragraph instructed him to stress again emphatically U.S. dissatisfaction with the PRC failure to implement the agreed announcement. (Ibid., 611.93/10–1855)
3. Telegram 933 to Geneva, October 19, informed Johnson that O’Neill still had no word from the PRC Foreign Office on the implementation of the agreed announcement, nor had he had any communication from or contact with any imprisoned American. (Ibid., 611.93/10–1955)
4. The Reverend John Alexander Houle, a Catholic missionary imprisoned in June 1953.

5. The paragraphs under reference read as follows:

   • “2. At last meeting Wang introduced subjects such as status Taiwan and presence US forces in area on which US and PRC hold different views. These not subjects which can be usefully discussed under present conditions. Remind Wang that fundamental and pressing need is for both parties renounce use force so as to remove threat of war. Whenever Wang attempts divert discussion to other topics you should endeavor bring it back to this simple basic proposition.
   • “3. With reference Wang’s demand that US withdraw its forces from Taiwan area you should point out that this is in effect a demand that US change its policy and abandon those whom it has pledged to defend from attack, under threat that armed force will be used if US does not accede to that demand. US does not intend yield to threat of force. Force is not an admissible means settling differences between us. US is not demanding that PRC alter its views and objectives. We only ask that both sides declare their willingness renounce force. Then and only then can differences be freely discussed.”