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

393. Telegram 1235 from Geneva¹

Geneva, December 1, 1955, 1 p.m.

1235. From Johnson.

1. At one hour forty-five minute meeting this morning Wang opened with prepared statement which was very mild and conciliatory in tone, in very marked contrast to tone prepared statements past few meetings, and closed with presentation new draft agreed announcement which reads as follows:

A) Ambassador Wang Ping-nan, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and Ambassador Alexis Johnson on behalf of the Government of the United States of America, agree to announce:

B) The People’s Republic of China and the United States of America are determined that they should settle disputes between their two countries through peaceful negotiations without resorting to the threat or use of force;

C) The two Ambassadors should continue their talks to seek practical and feasible means for the realization of this common desire.

2. In reply I welcomed his statement and characterized it as advance in our negotiations. I then spent about an hour probing on applicability statement to Taiwan area. Best answer I obtained from him was that although Taiwan internal matter beyond scope present talks, willing settle that question by peaceful means. He omitted usual qualification “condtions permitting”. During give and take he spoke of “step by step” resolution US–PRC disputes and said if during course our talks here I wanted discuss ways and means relaxing tensions Taiwan area or other questions, he willing discuss. There was no renewal demand for withdrawal US forces but reply my question as to whether subsequent negotiations would be conducted under continued threat his side would resort to force Taiwan area if desires not met he replied with somewhat pro forma statement that PRC is one which feels itself threatened in area.

3. I made detailed statement on Bradshaw along lines Deptel 1297 and brief statement on implementation along lines para one Deptel 1329.

4. In reply Wang dicussed at length Indian implementation in US and our failure assist them communicate with Chinese in US while we were asking UK Charge take initiative communicate Americans in China. I of course pointed out contrast Americans imprisoned in China with freedom any announcement, for Indians taking initiative.

5. Next meeting Thursday, December 8.

6. Departing for Prague Friday evening, returning Tuesday.

Gowen

Note: No paragraph D.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/12–155. Confidential; Niact; Limited Distribution.