Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, China and Japan, Volume XIV, Part 1

396.1 GE/6–554: Telegram

No. 210
The Under Secretary of State (Smith) to the Department of State¹

confidential
niact

Geneva, June 5, 1954—1 p.m.

Secto 385. Re Secto 375.²

Johnson met with Wang Ping-nan and Trevelyan for 20 minutes this morning in small conference room at Palais des Nations. Johnson accompanied by Martin and Colonel Ekvall (interpreter); Wang by Ko Po-nien,³ Huan Hsiang and interpreter; Trevelyan by J. F. Ford of British delegation.

Wang indicated immediately that this would have to be a preliminary meeting since Ko Po-nien, head of American Affairs Department, had to go to Berlin today for a conference which had been set up long before arrangements made for today’s meeting. Communists had agreement today in order take advantage Trevelyan’s presence since he leaving for London. However, Communists would not be prepared discuss substantive questions until Ko’s return from Berlin.

Johnson stated we had come to meeting because we understood from Trevelyan that Communists had indicated progress would be facilitated by direct contact, and expressed disappointment Communists unprepared discuss substantive questions this meeting.

Wang replied delay not their fault as they had told Trevelyan some time ago they willing negotiate directly with us.

Johnson said we could not accept responsibility delay as we had been attempting for several years through British at Peiping and past few weeks at Geneva obtain information on detained Americans. Johnson then voiced deep concern US Government and people re continued detention Americans in Communist China and described categories and numbers in each category of detained Americans (including US Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard personnel) whose release we wish obtain. He said he was prepared then and there furnish lists of detained Americans to Communists.

Wang replied that Communists would be prepared discuss this subject at next meeting and would also raise with us question of Chinese nationals prevented from leaving US. He again indicated Communists unprepared discuss these questions today and suggested we meet again on Thursday, June 10, since Ko returning from Berlin Wednesday.

Johnson replied he was prepared now fully discuss question Chinese nationals in US but Wang replied can be discussed next morning. Johnson stated he thought it might be possible we could have meeting Thursday, however, stating that he could not make commitment on next meeting and would have to confirm through Trevelyan.

Wang then expressed belief that questions for discussion could be satisfactorily resolved now that direct contact between Chinese Communist delegation and United States delegation established.

Comments follow.⁴

Smith

1. Repeated for information to Hong Kong, Taipei, and London.
2. Secto 375 from Geneva, June 4, reported the arrangements for the meeting described in this telegram. (396.1 GE/6–454)
3. Director of the Department of American and Australian Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China, and an adviser to the Chinese Delegation at Geneva.
4. See infra. On June 5, the Department of State released a statement concerning Johnson’s meeting that day with Wang; it stated that the U.S. Government intended to “leave no stone unturned” in its effort to secure the release of U.S. citizens imprisoned in Communist China and that U.S. participation in the conversations “in no way implies United States accordance with any measure of diplomatic recognition to the Red Chinese regime.” The text of the statement is in Department of State Bulletin, June 21, 1954, p. 950.