Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, China, Volume XIX

109. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Poland⁰

Washington, September 19, 1958, 8:55 p.m.

311. Beam–Wang Talks. Following are instructions for position you should adopt at meeting with Wang on 21st:¹

You should point out that Wang has set forth in completely uncompromising terms a demand for the surrender of a sovereign government and for the withdrawal of all forces of that government’s allies from its sovereign territory. Wang has clearly asked for what he knows is impossible and totally unacceptable as indeed it is.

US on other hand has set forth in its declaration submitted at last meeting a proposition which attempts to meet in as equitable a fashion as possible the conflicting interest of parties concerned. Such a proposition should invite careful consideration. To reject it out of hand would reveal that the Chinese Communists have no constructive interest in holding these talks.

If Wang’s remarks mean complete Chinese Communist rejection our proposal it will appear to civilized world Communists place primary reliance on violence including slaughter innocent civilian inhabitants and they will be condemned again before bar world opinion. Reiterate that urgent prerequisite any peaceful resolution of present crisis is cessation hostilities. Each day hostilities continue danger expansion of conflict increases. Since these hostilities result solely from armed attacks Chinese Communists and can cease only when attacks cease responsibility for decision whether or not conflagration will result completely in hands Chinese Communists. Note that Wang says people of world watching talks and add that people of world will hold accountable side which refuses essential first condition of peace, cessation hostilities. World will not accept Wang’s contention that question of cease fire “does not arise” when it known to all that present threat world peace created precisely by decision his side use force seize territory.

Counter Wang’s charge that US using force in Taiwan area and that tension created by this and US “aggression” in Taiwan. Record of US in foreign affairs too well known require defense against charge aggression. Presence of US military forces in Taiwan area due entirely to actions and threats of Chinese Communists and is response to treaty obligations with sovereign ally. US forces have not committed one aggressive act. They however fully prepared discharge defensive responsibilities.

You should make clear we do not accept distinction between “Sino-American international dispute” and “domestic matter” of Taiwan and coastal islands. We do not recognize right Chinese Communists unilaterally declare armed attack a domestic matter by announcing prior claim to territory held by a sovereign government. Attack on coastal islands is far from domestic matter as interest of world, including USSR demonstrates. Failure resolve our differences could have grave consequences for many nations and US for its part welcomes world attention and interest in matter. You should also point out Wang not accurate in statement that Taiwan Chinese territory from “time immemorial”. No one disputes fact that Taiwan under Japanese sovereignty for 50 years or that its liberation from Japanese rule largely due US military presence in Far East. It is presumptuous for Chinese Communists now to assert US presence is aggressive meddling.²

You should not press for an early next meeting but accept any day proposed by Wang provided it is within one week’s time.

FYI. Foregoing subject final review Saturday³ morning. Will cable any changes Niact.⁴ End FYI.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/9–1958. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Josiah W. Bennett, Officer in Charge of Political Affairs in the Office of Chinese Affairs, and Green; cleared by Herter and Martin and in draft by Dulles and Robertson; and approved by Parsons. Repeated priority to Taipei.
1. Telegram 448 from Warsaw, September 20, reported that the meeting had been postponed until September 22 at Chinese request. (Ibid., 611.93/9–2058)
2. Telegram 312 to Warsaw, September 20, told Beam to delete this sentence. (Ibid.)
3. September 20.
4. In telegram 449 from Warsaw, September 21, Beam questioned the advisability of disputing at the next meeting Wang’s contention that Taiwan had been Chinese territory from “time immemorial”, stating that he thought it better for tactical reasons to focus on the cease-fire question. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/9–2158) Telegram 314 to Warsaw, September 21, authorized Beam to use his discretion on this point. (Ibid.) Telegram 449 is in the Supplement.