131. Telegram 627 to Geneva1
627. For Johnson.
Following for your background information only.
We have apprised British in confidence of general nature responsibilities British Charge Peiping would assume under draft agreed announcement. O’Neill has commented from Peiping that it cannot be assumed with confidence that all detained Americans will express a desire return to US. He fears that some imprisoned Americans may be so thoroughly brainwashed that they would not take any initiative to return. He indicates possibility that some Americans in prison might not be able communicate with his office. He remarks that the interests of imprisoned Americans would be better safeguarded if his office were accorded right to interview them.
He thinks it would be useful if the agreement additionally mentioned “the Shanghai branch of the Office of the Charge d’Affaires of the UK” so that his Consul General in Shanghai would have the clear right to assist him as to the Americans detained there and in South China.
[Typeset Page 164]O’Neill further comments that he would have no effective means giving publicity to arrangement unless he were given right to place a notice in the Chinese Communist press.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–2455. Secret. Drafted by McConaughy.↩