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

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

Washington, October 25, 1955—7:34 p.m.

996. Partial guidance for October 27 meeting:

1. On renunciation of force item, although it is undesirable for you to engage in extensive debate with Wang in defense US policy regarding Taiwan, his accusation that US has occupied Taiwan by force of arms cannot be permitted rest unchallenged. You should briefly and factually state our position: that Taiwan is seat of GRC which we recognize; that US has signed Mutual Defense Treaty with GRC under which we assumed obligations to assist in defense of Taiwan against outside attack; and that such units of US armed forces as are stationed on Taiwan are there in accordance with treaty provisions and with full consent of GRC. To describe this situation as “US armed occupation of Taiwan” is distortion of truth.

You should then reiterate, along lines followed last meeting, that in best interests both countries and world at large urgent requirement is not to sit in Geneva arguing whose position right and whose wrong, but for both parties renounce use of force to settle differences, with particular reference to Taiwan area.

2. Your 957² approve your recommendation that statement on unaccounted-for military personnel be presented.

3. Awaiting reply from Secretary³ before sending additional instructions concerning manner of presentation item on release Americans.⁴

Hoover

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–2555. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated for information priority to Paris for Secretary Dulles. Drafted in CA; cleared by McConaughy and in draft by Sebald; cleared with S/S; and approved by Robertson.
2. Johnson’s telegram 957 from Geneva, October 25, replied to a message from Robertson, sent to Secretary Dulles as Tedul 8 to Paris and to Johnson as telegram 981 to Geneva, October 24. Telegram 981 suggested that Johnson try to bring about a recess in the talks during the Foreign Ministers Conference by proposing a 3-week recess, ostensibly to give the Chinese time to carry out the judicial processes required for the release of the Americans. Alternatively, it suggested, Johnson might make a forceful statement of U.S. dissatisfaction at the lack of PRC implementation and threaten to make a public statement if no action had been taken by the next meeting. (Ibid., 611.93/10–2455) In telegram 957 Johnson opposed the first suggestion and proposed that at the next meeting he make the U.S. presentation on missing military personnel and announce publicly the two topics he had introduced, in preparation for a possible public statement in the future. (Ibid., 611.93/10–2555)
3. Dulte 12 from Geneva, October 26, advised against any suggestion of a recess or public statement and suggested that Johnson make a forceful statement on implementation, present the U.S. statement on unaccounted-for military personnel, and continue with discussion of renunciation of force. (Ibid., 611.93/10–2655)
4. Telegram 1013 to Geneva, October 26, repeated to Geneva for Dulles for information, instructed Johnson to begin the meeting with a renewed demand for prompt compliance with the terms of the agreed announcement. (Ibid.)