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

64. Telegram 412 from Geneva¹

Geneva, August 11, 1955, 6 p.m.

412. From Johnson.

At fifth meeting August 11, 10 am Wang, reading from prepared statement, said he had carefully studied views both sides on question return civilians to respective countries, especially my statement last meeting. Said he thought there had been approach of views between two sides and progress in talks. Regarding problem Chinese nationals, including students, in US he said he had proposed US should remove all prohibitions and measures preventing their return, including deadlines which increased their difficulties. Had noted with satisfaction that US not restraining any Chinese civilian wanting return. Further, had noted my categorical assurance Chinese students not being prevented from leaving US and that all restraining orders affecting Chinese nationals, including Dr. Tsien, had been rescinded. Continued that I had also agreed Chinese national applying for or granted permanent residence in US should be permitted travel anytime to any destination their choice without giving reason. Regarding deadlines, he had noted my statement each case sympathetically considered on own merits and Immigration Service giving reasonable time.

Wang continued he welcomed all these statements which facilitated progress of talks. Said I had also met his proposal by submitting list 76 names for which he expressed satisfaction. Meanwhile, he felt bound to point out that although given list of Americans in China I had failed provide list all Chinese, including students, in US. This failure regrettable and he reserved right put forward this demand again in future. Regarding American nationals in China he had indicated when he handed me list that all ordinary Americans could depart anytime so long as not involved in civil cases or had made reasonable arrangements regarding civil cases. American civilians who had committed crimes would be treated with leniency according to their crimes and behavior and those with good behavior would be granted commutation of sentence and early departure. Captured personnel from Korean War who had chosen not to return could leave at anytime they desired. Regarding military personnel who had committed crimes, 15 had been released at different times. Said he had also informed me that Chinese Government reviewing cases American nationals who have applied return their country. Cases of Americans who had committed crimes being reviewed individually. In order safeguard interests nationals both sides he had proposed each should entrust third country of choice with care of affairs these nationals; in first place affair of their return. He deemed this proposal meets interests nationals both sides. Obviously, affairs concerning return nationals both sides closely connected with other affairs in their country of residence and his proposal should therefore not be regarded as exceeding terms of reference agenda item one.

Wang continued saying at last meeting I had stated US Government considering certain arrangement. He then proceeded repeat almost word for word arrangement I had suggested previous meeting. He went on to say in opinion his government this arrangement could not satisfy demands of nationals both sides, especially Chinese nationals in US. However in interest speedily reaching agreement on first agenda item he was ready agree basically such arrangement as first step in safeguarding interests nationals both sides. Based on statement made by both sides he would like propose draft agreement to be adopted as the agreement reached in these talks concerning question return civilians both sides to their respective countries. Wang then read draft agreement quoted Mytel 402.

Wang then stated I might recall his statement at first meeting that so long as both sides adopted conciliatory attitude would not be difficult agree on question return civilians to respective countries. Now joint agreement had been reached unanimously on majority of points under item one. Expressed hope it possible speedily to adopt draft agreement. After above draft agreement adopted by both sides he would advise me “very soon” re cases US nationals who had applied leave China.

I told Wang I was sorry I unable share his view that we as close to agreement as he appeared indicate. Said we came to discuss question nationals of both sides who prevented from returning their country. As Wang had pointed out this morning US Government had removed all preventive departure orders against Chinese civilians, including that on Dr. Tsien. There remained no governmental measure preventing departure Chinese. This fully met Wang’s request of me this regard.

I said I was confident there are no practical difficulties which would prevent Chinese in US from proceeding their country if they desired do so. However in effort fully to meet his point of view I had outlined an arrangement which my government considering regarding third party representation. I again wanted contrast situation Americans in China who wished depart with that of Chinese in US. All Chinese nationals now free depart. However in case Americans in China situation same as at time talks began. Solely measures taken by Wang’s government prevented departure these Americans. No third country representation arrangement could remove those obstacles. Only action by his government could clear road for departure Americans detained against their will in China.

I added I was pleased to learn at meeting August second and repeated today that Wang’s government reviewing cases Americans in China including those in jail. I also had carefully noted statement his government intended take measures with respect to them out of special consideration. I expressed hope these measures would be such that Americans now prevented from leaving his country would be free to depart. If this done promptly I was confident it would establish basis on which it would be possible work out arrangement such as I had suggested last meeting and he suggested today. Otherwise I feared it would be very difficult to do so.

I told Wang that speaking very frankly I was sure he appreciated problem of public opinion in US faced by my government on this question. I had referred to this in my statement August 2nd. My government had taken very far reaching measures regarding Chinese in US and also, in response his request, had told him of arrangement on representation we considering. I said I frankly did not believe it possible for my government make any announcement or enter any agreement to be publicly announced at this time without more in way of results on problem my nationals which I had come to discuss. Said I had spoken very frankly because I wanted him understand my problem. In meantime I said my government and I would study Wangs proposal and might have something further to say on it later but wanted him to understand exact situation this regard.

Wang replied he had noted my remarks. Regarding civilians both sides returning their country American side had its viewpoint and his side also had own viewpoint. He recalled that in talks conducted last year he had made clear the general principles of his government on question nationals both sides residing in other country. Said his government had same policy toward all foreign nationals in China, including Americans. These classified two categories: ordinary aliens and those who breached Chinese law. So long as ordinary civilian free of unsettled case in China he allowed freely to leave. Those who had breached Chinese law also granted lenient treatment according Chinese law. Recent release of 11 airmen was evidence of great contribution made by his government in present talks. He recalled Chou En-lai in statement to People’s Congress, July 30, had said number Americans in China small and this problem easily settled. Furthermore as he had just informed me so long as he had agreement on his draft proposal he would advise me very soon on results of review of cases by his government.

Wang continued he must frankly point out, though he did not intend go into it, bitter plight Chinese nationals, including students, in US past years. Chinese people very excited in their sentiments regarding bitter plight innocent Chinese nationals and students in US. Chinese nationals in US including students faced difficulties in US just as I had pointed out US nationals in China facing difficulties. If it were not that nationals both sides having difficulties there would have been no reason to meet here. As result exchange views past four meetings he had indicated to me Chinese welcomed attitude of American side. Although not entirely satisfied with arrangement suggested on fourth proposal in interest of progress of talks he prepared to use conciliation and compromise and was ready accept arrangement proposed by me. Draft agreement he had put forward was only more detailed version of one I had suggested last meeting. In the main it was same one I had advanced. Said he regarded such arrangement as means of settling problem. It showed his side willing avoid more debate this question and reach agreement in conciliatory way.

I replied to Wang that of course our governments each had its point of view and our task was one of reconciling these viewpoints. It seemed to me that my government although Wang not completely satisfied had gone nearly whole way in meeting desires his government. So far as American nationals concerned whatever Wang might feel regarding his nationals in US most Americans had been in jail for long period. At our meetings last year I had understood these cases being investigated. More than year now passed and majority these people still in prison. I hoped his government would now find it possible to expedite measures he had spoken of in order that this problem could be resolved. Said I would examine his proposal in light of what I had just said. Hoped by next meeting he might have some suggestion to meet problem I faced.

Wang replied ways should be found beneficial to both sides in joint effort solve problem our nationals. That is why they had accepted arrangement I suggested last meeting. If we proceed on basis this arrangement future progress on question of nationals would be expedited. He welcomed spirit in which I had spoken this morning concerning talks. In interest of reaching agreement, willingness for conciliation and compromise must exist both sides. We two ambassadors were sitting face to face but if we did not make effort reach one another could not accomplish anything. If each would hold out his hand problems could be solved. Each side must approach other and as he had stated so long as both sides displayed sincerity he would be able to advise me regarding cases of Americans now under review.

I responded that I supposed each thought his side had gone farther than other. I felt that we had gone farthest. Representation proposal did not originate with us but with him. I had proposed my arrangement at last meeting in effort meet his point of view. However did not see how it helped solve problem faced by American nationals. Their problems could only be solved by action his government. Wang replied that in course of talks important thing not what each side claimed it had done but for each side to see what other had done. So long as both sides showed sincerity would not be difficult overcome our problems.

I said I hoped that he could help. So far I had nothing to show my government regarding problem my nationals and asked if he would have something by Saturday. Wang replied there were two separate problems. One was arrangement regarding return of nationals of both sides and the other was measures to be taken by his government. Agreement on detailed arrangement would be test of sincerity each side regarding this question. So long as both sides showed spirit of sincerity he believed it would not be difficult to find solution.

I proposed next meeting Saturday, 10 am.

Gowen

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–1155. Confidential.