Office of the Historian

210. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Japan1

Washington, December 8, 1955—7:33 p.m.

1200. For Allison. Department’s 1197 repeating Taipei’s 528.2 If Chairman Zablocki and other members House Foreign Affairs Far East Subcommittee are in Tokyo deliver following message from Dept to them:

“Department has received your message of December 6 sent from Taipei regarding UN membership question now before UN, and written after discussion of subject with Ambassador Rankin. We are surprised that Ambassador Rankin felt he did not have ‘full information reasons for US position because lack of information from [Page 441] Washington and New York (UN)’. Ambassador Rankin was sent nine messages on this subject which he should have received before his conversation with you. These messages make it clear that US not support package deal, that we have no behind the scenes understanding with any country on membership question, that we will not vote for or otherwise support the candidacy of the five Communist satellites, and will not ask Chinese Government do so. US decision to abstain in the Security Council is based on belief that it would be abuse of veto power to exercise veto on membership question to frustrate will of overwhelming majority of UN members. This decision is in line with spirit Vandenberg Resolution which was passed by Senate 64 to 4 in 1948. There are quoted below three messages to President Chiang setting forth US position and stating our deep apprehension that international position of free China may be gravely impaired by use of veto on this membership issue; and text statement for Ambassador Lodge during Ad Hoc Committee discussion membership issue.

We hope information contained in Deptels 1203 and 12043 will give you a clearer understanding of the considerations which guided our decision in this crucial matter, and that there will be opportunity to discuss the issue further with you upon your return to Washington. Sincerely yours.”

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/2–655. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Robertson and McConaughy. Signed for the Secretary by Robertson and cleared by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations Roderic O’ Connor and Wilcox.↩
  2. Document 205.↩
  3. Telegrams 1203 and 1204 to Tokyo, December 8, repeated the texts of the messages previously sent to President Chiang Kai-shek by President Eisenhower and Secretary Dulles in telegrams 304, 305, and 317 to Taipei; Documents 176, 177, and 188.↩