224. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
1367. Pass USUN. Soviet press covers admission 16 new members into United Nations under headline such as “Diplomatic Initiative of USSR”. TASS New York reports debate on vote December 14 giving text Kuznetsov’s final statement. Indian representative Menon reportedly said Chinese Nationalists to blame for non-admission Japan and Mongolia and called for seating Chinese Communist government in United Nations.TASS roundup American press comment on admission new members says “press of opinion that in this [Page 456] process Soviet diplomacy achieved new success and American diplomacy suffered significant damage …2 American press notes that days in United Nations of Chiang Kai-shekists, who tried with United States support to prevent positive decision question on admission new members in United Nations, are numbered”. Other TASS press reports on local reaction from Peiping, London, Rome and Stockholm emphasize criticism Chinese Nationalists and demands for their expulsion from United Nations. TASS Peiping says Tokyo radio reports indicate Japanese press and official circles exasperated at delay Japanese admission because of Chinese veto.
Pravda and Izvestia both have front-page editorials on theme “important event in life United Nations”. Izvestia says “fact decision this question became possible thanks to initiative Soviet delegation will be given due weight by world opinion”. Editorial blame[s] “certain countries headed by United States”, who pursued policy discrimination against some applicants and favoritism toward others, for prolonged deadlock in membership question. Soviet Union, however, has received recognition wide circles many countries. Molotov at Geneva informed Western Foreign Ministers Soviet Union favored Canadian proposal for admission 18 members. In Security Council solution blocked only by obstruction Chinese Nationalists who would not be in United Nations at all except their patrons desire prevent Communist China’s admission. “No secret to anybody who was inspirer of Chiang Kai-shekists obstruction in Security Council. American papers speak clearly enough on that. They openly acknowledge that American delegation would prefer question on admission new members into United Nations not be resolved and blame for this put on Soviet Union”.
Admission new members, editorial concludes, represents failure positions-of-strength policy “basic in United Nations was manifested in intrigues and attempts force on international organization course of discrimination against states according to social structure”. Principle peaceful coexistence upheld by decision.
Pravda editorial making essentially same points says dispute over United Nations membership “occurred as result activity these forces who were bent on converting United Nations for implement of unity of nations into means of dividing and setting up some peoples against others … This took place during years when policy of setting up military blocs and alliances was recognized by ruling circles of number Western powers as sole correct policy for our time and principles this policy set up against United Nations charter”.
Comment: Soviets obviously content with membership solution since Outer Mongolia presents no problem to them whereas United [Page 457] States-Japanese relations by no means so easily handled. While blocking Japanese admission to United Nations can be attributed propagandawise to Moscow, situation nevertheless will increase pressures in Japan for recognition Chinese People’s Republic and USSR.