Attached for your information is a chronological summary of the British
resistance we have met in our efforts to establish arrangements for
close working-level consultation with the U.K. authorities with regard to communist subversion in
Singapore and the Federation of Malaya.
As you will see, the British have been anything but helpful. Their
reluctance to be candid probably stems primarily from Colonial Office
attitudes.
Despite the lack of success, we plan to continue our efforts.
[Enclosure]
Memorandum for the Files2
SUBJECT
- The Department’s Efforts to Establish Working-Level
Consultation with UK Authorities
on Subversion in Singapore and the Federation of Malaya
Following is a chronological record of the Department’s efforts to
establish closer working-level consultation with the UK authorities with regard to communist
subversion, and measures to counter it, in Singapore and the
Federation of Malaya.
1. December 14, 1955
The OCB formally approved a paper on
measures to counter subversion in Singapore and the Federation of
Malaya.3 Among the paper’s
recommendations were the following:
- “B. Complete preparation of detailed suggestions to be
used as a basis for working-level discussions with the
British after (an) initial approach by the
Secretary.
- “C. As soon as the British have indicated an interest
in receiving our detailed suggestions, provide them on a
working level in Washington, London, and Singapore with
specific detailed suggestions. If no British response is
forthcoming after the original high-level approach, the
US should take the initiative in further
approaches.”
2. December 21, 1955
Embassy London was informed in strict confidence of a position paper
prepared in the UK Foreign Office for
consideration at ministerial level to the effect that the Foreign
Office should tell the Colonial Office that the time had come for
taking the US into British confidence concerning Singapore and the
Federation. (London tel 2552, December 21, 19554).
3. January 14, 1956
The list of suggestions was completed and forwarded to appropriate
posts for use when authorization given. (Dept’s CA–5294, Jan. 14 1956.5)
4. January 26, 1956
The UK Foreign Office told Embassy
London that “unexpected difficulty” had been encountered in
obtaining Colonial Office concurrence
[Page 776]
to discussions with the US of measures to
counter subversion in Singapore and the Federation.6
5. January 31, 1956
The Secretary discussed the seriousness of the Singapore situation
with UK Foreign Secretary Lloyd. (Deptel to London 4439, Feb. 8, 1956.7)
6. February 14, 1956
The Department suggested to the British Embassy that it might be
helpful for US and UK representatives
in the field to have closer consultation on subversion in Singapore
and the Federation and on measures to combat it. (Deptel 4634 to London, February 15,
1956.8)
7. March 13, 1956
The British Embassy informed the Department that the UK agreed with our proposal for closer
consultation in the field and that the appropriate UK officers in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur,
and London had already approached certain US officers to establish
the liaison. (Deptel 5289 to
London, March 14, 1956.9)
8. March 15, 1956
In response to the Department’s inquiry, Embassy London said it had
not been approached by the British. The Embassy requested
instructions. (London tel 3982, March 15, 1956.10)
9. March 16, 1956
In response to the Department’s inquiry, the Consulate General of
Kuala Lumpur said it had not been approached by the British. The
Consulate General requested instructions. (Kuala Lumpur tel 373,
March 16, 1956.11)
The Department consulted the British Embassy and was told that the
Embassy, after reviewing its instructions, found that US officials
“are being informed.” The Embassy preferred that we leave the
initiative to the British. The Department so instructed London,
Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. (Deptel 5356 to London, March 16, 1956.12)
[Page 777]
10. March 19, 1956
The Consulate General at Singapore reported that liaison arrangement
had been proposed “several weeks ago” by Gilchrist, British chairman
of the UKFEJIC The proposal had
been for consultation between Consul General Durbrow and Singapore Governor
Black, with Anderson (Consulate General) and
Broome (British internal security head, Singapore) as respective
alternates. However, Gilchrist had said the arrangement depended
upon the approval of the Governor, who would raise the matter with
Durbrow. The Consulate
General noted that the Governor had never done so. (Singapore tel
900, March 19, 1956.13)
11. April 4, 1956
In response to the Department’s inquiry (Smith, SEA, to
Campbell, British Embassy, who said he
would consult Sir Hubert Graves), the British Embassy asserted that
it had information to the effect that US representatives had now
been informed (specifically mentioning that the Singapore Governor
had confirmed the arrangement to Durbrow) and suggested that we just had not had full
reports from our representatives. (Deptel 5859 to London, April 5, 195614)
12. April 5, 1956
The Department requested confirmation from London, Singapore, and
Kuala Lumpur of the Department’s understanding that our
representatives had not been approached. (Deptel 5859 to London, April 5, 1956).
13. April 6, 1956
Singapore referred to its earlier message and reiterated that the
Governor had not confirmed the arrangements. (Singapore tel 961,
April 6, 1956.15)
Kuala Lumpur referred to its earlier message and said the situation
was unchanged. (Kuala Lumpur tel 187, April 6, 1956.16)
Embassy London referred to its earlier message and said the situation
was unchanged. (London tel 4479, April 6, 1956.16)
14. April 11, 1956
Smith (SEA) reviewed developments, as outlined above, with
Campbell (Colonial Attaché, British
Embassy). Campbell remarked
[Page 778]
that there was an obvious
misunderstanding somewhere in British channels. He said the Embassy
would take up the matter with the Foreign Office and he would let us
know as soon as a reply had been received.
15. April 19, 1956
Mr. Sebald (FE), during a conversation on other
matters with Sir Hubert Graves of the British Embassy, inquired
whether any further word had been received with regard to the
proposed liaison arrangements. Sir Hubert replied that no word had
been received.
16. May 10, 1956
Campbell of the British Embassy, during a
reception at Campbell’s house, told Smith (SEA) he would call at the Department, before his
impending departure for London, for a final review of Singapore
matters.
17. May 18, 1956
Smith (SEA), during a conversation on other matters, inquired
of Sir Hubert Graves whether any further word had been received from
London on the proposed liaison arrangements. Sir Hubert replied that
the British Embassy had written to the Foreign Office about the
matter “a couple of days ago” but had not received an answer.
18. June 8, 195617
Question raised by Mr. Young
(SEA) with Mr. De la Mare of
British Embassy, who said he was unfamiliar with problem but would
look into it.
19. June 11, 1956
Conversation with Patrick Dean of UK
Foreign Office (See Deptel 2360
to Singapore18).
20. June 15, 1956
Approach to Department by British Embassy19 . . . .