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

189. Telegram 725 from Geneva¹

Geneva, September 14, 1955, 9 p.m.

725. From Johnson.

1. At 15th meeting today which lasted one and half hours, I opened with prepared statement saying that as I had told him last meeting, I was prepared fully report exact steps my government had taken to implement agreed announcement. I made very detailed statement including following points: official press release giving full text issued by Department September 10 and Washington press corps especially invited to receive it. Full text carried all major US wire services which serve virtually all daily newspapers in US. It constituted leading news item September 11 when circulation Sunday papers far greater than any other morning of week and I gave circulation figures. Stated announcement carried in radio and television programs two days. Verified that announcement given wide coverage cities with large Chinese populations and areas where Chinese students chiefly concentrated. Indian Ambassador Washington informed Saturday and in Delhi Sunday GOI informed and invited assume functions set forth in announcement. Arrangements made Immigration and Naturalization Service inform district directors rights Chinese desiring return. Concluded by saying hoped he able give me similar detailed information steps taken his government to implement statements in agreed announcement. I added correction in my statement September 6 that 83 Chinese have departed US between July 11 and August 31. Actually additional 90 Chinese departed from Hawaii making total 73. Had no way of knowing how many of these people intended proceed China mainland.

2. Wang replied he noted my statement regarding dissemination agreed announcement and that full text published all newspapers in US. Said large circulation showed general public also greatly interested in talks here. He too had paid attention to articles carried American press and found a number of newspaper comments on announcement which were not appropriate. For instance, some said PRC invited UK to take care of American nationals in China. This did not correctly reflect agreement because PRC agreed UK would be invited to implement a portion of agreement. Wang said he wished inform me full text carried all media throughout China at specified time agreed upon and given prominent headlines all newspapers so he believed all people could learn of news and read announcements; radio stations broadcast full text in Chinese and English.

3. Wang then proposed US Government present official text of agreed announcement to UK and he would present same to GOI thus completing official procedures regarding invitation of third powers. After these official procedures concluded his government would formally notify UK Charge in Peking.

4. I replied I noted his statement on publication announcement in Chinese press and radio. I asked how it would be brought to attention of Americans many of whom do not understand Chinese. Was there any English language newspaper which Americans read? Also since Americans in jail do not have access to normal media of communication, by what means would they be informed of terms agreed announcement? We had informed GOI and invited it in accordance with terms announcement to assume its functions in US. Apart from whatever action we may take with reference to UK, I was interested to know action his government had taken to invite UK perform its functions under agreed announcement. I requested information on steps taken to inform Americans in jail and permit them to communicate freely with UK Charge. I particularly concerned on this point because I understood during meetings last year that he had agreed all Americans in jail would be permitted send and receive letters. However, still four in jail from whom no letters whatsoever received. I found it hard believe persons incarcerated so long would not want to write their friends and relatives if given opportunity. I also asked what arrangements made for UK Charge interview Americans when Charge received request from imprisoned American and my government desired facts investigated. I asked what was “prescribed period” mentioned in NCNA September 11 announcement regarding release Fathers Gordon, Hyde and Joyce. I requested dates and time when 10 Americans released would arrive in Hong Kong. Also requested specific information on health, welfare each detained American not yet released. Explained this question raised several times in talks during past year but only information we received was that all were in good health except Mrs. Bradshaw. However, we had learned several persons had been seriously ill.

5. Wang said his government gave agreement wide publicity to inform Americans and not to prevent them from being informed. Publications in English are available to them. In prisons there were people who would read newspapers to Americans. All persons concerned would certainly be informed without exception. He said according to Chinese Red Cross 2,547 letters and 277 small parcels handled for Americans in year ending June. Figure included letters sent and received. Furthermore Chinese Government on many occasions notified persons they could write their families and Chinese Red Cross also offered deliver letters. Therefore all persons had full freedom send mail if they wished.

6. Wang said investigation of cases would be carried out according provisions agreed announcement. Regarding third power implementation and functions he repeated his proposal US deliver formal complete text to UK and PRC the same to GOI. Added of course his government would give full information to UK Charge on carrying out functions entrusted to it by US Government in agreed announcement. Proposed formal text be handed promptly to third parties.

7. Wang said he would give information regarding times departure those released and health persons in jail after communicating with his government. He then asked if he could make a statement.

8. I replied I had nothing more to say today.

9. Wang then read prepared statement. (See following tel for full report).

10. Following this statement I replied I had noted what he said and I too would have matters I wished discuss with him at proper time under agenda item two. I could not help but feel it premature enter this discussion at present moment. Item one concerned return civilians and I could not consider it finally disposed of until all Americans in his country who desired return were able to do so. We had issued agreed announcement which he assured me would permit them return expeditiously. Way in which terms agreed announcement carried out could not but influence atmosphere in which we discussed questions under item two of agenda. I hoped possible very quickly establish atmosphere and situation in which we could fruitfully and helpfully discuss these other items. I considered information we exchanged this meeting on implementation agreed announcement very useful and helpful.

11. Wang replied agenda provided two items: one, return civilians; two, practical matters which he was discussing. This agenda based on original US proposal. We had spent 40 days discussing first item which resulted in enabling number Americans return and arrangements for remainder would be made in accordance with agreement. Now arrangement reached on first item we should go on to second. Agreement must be implemented by both sides but implementation could not be completed in a day or a week. He could not expect Chinese civilians and students in US return in such short time. He failed see purpose remaining on first item agenda after 40 days of discussion and after reaching agreement. Under second item both sides could raise questions at issue between two countries in accordance original proposal of US which was confirmed at beginning of talks.

12. I said it was not my choice we spent 40 to 45 days discussing item one. At outset I suggested quick expeditious way resolve item one was permit those who wanted to return to return. He did not find that suggestion acceptable and I acceded to his position. Of those Americans about whom we started our discussion August 2 there are still 19 not yet able to return. We agreed on the agenda. I fully honor that agreement and was prepared enter into discussions item two at proper time.

13. Wang asked what “proper time” meant and when could item two be discussed.

14. I replied it was very simple matter. It would be when it was clear terms announcement were being faithfully implemented. I stated announcement says “further appropriate measures will be adopted so they can expeditiously exercise their right to return”. He had informed me names some Americans now being enabled to return and I hoped he would soon be able inform me of others as well. My government intended fully and faithfully carry out terms announcement and I would keep him fully informed on measures taken to this end. He had told me some measures his government had taken. This was helpful and useful and I hoped next meeting he could give me further information this regard.

15. Wang insisted he failed see connection between implementation of agreement and second item of agenda which we were going to discuss. He said we have already discussed at great length means for return of nationals of both sides and he could not see why we remained on item one and did not enter on discussion item two. Did we desire return to old ground covered in discussing return civilians? He thought it would be meaningless if we returned to arguments on item one because agreement reached and consent of both governments had resolved and settled that question. He failed to see how we could put aside item two and return to item one.

16. I replied I was as interested as he in item two but it was of tremendous importance we have best possible atmosphere in which to discuss these matters.

17. Wang said he thought my line of argument very peculiar and regrettable. He was disappointed after we reached agreement on item one we should put aside item two and return to item one.

18. I said we were not returning to item one but we were only still discussing it. Agreed statement represented progress. I had no desire go over old arguments and no such intention, but discussion of implementation was very useful and I had hoped he felt the same.

19. Wang said he thought discussion implementation agreement useful but should not prevent discussion item two. He had presented his views item two and hoped I would give consideration his views next time. He asked if we should end meeting.

20. I suggested we meet again September 20 and asked what announcement should be given to press.

21. Wang replied he would tell press he had raised two topics. We would be free to tell them what we wished.

22. I said I would tell press we had exchanged information on implementation of agreed announcement.

Gowen

Note: Mr Waddell (FE) notified, 9/14/55, 6:50 pm, EH

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/9–1455. Confidential; Priority; Limited Distribution.