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

396.1 GE/6–754: Telegram

No. 211
The Under Secretary of State (Smith) to the Department of State¹

confidential
priority

Geneva, June 7, 1954—10 a.m.

Secto 393. Reference Secto 385.² Despite Communist refusal enter into substantive discussions at June 5 meeting, we feel further effort on behalf of detained Americans justified in light Communist commitment enter into substantive discussions next meeting.

Experience British and others in negotiation with Chinese on detained nationals has been two or three substantive meetings sufficient. However, their cases much fewer in number and less complex than ours. Also probable that in case Americans, Communists will endeavor extract maximum political capital by prolonging direct contacts.

Therefore, anticipate that at next meeting Communists will accept our lists of Americans, promise to look into matter and suggest another meeting in week or ten days. If by time third meeting no positive results achieved, we should be prepared break contact. However, if some positive results obtained, would be difficult break contact prior to obtaining release maximum number Americans. Must recognize in case of Americans possibility Communists will attempt prolong direct contacts by releasing few Americans as result each meeting.

We must therefore decide whether political disadvantages at least several more contacts outweigh desirability obtaining release at least some Americans.

If decision made authorizing additional meetings cannot assume Trevelyan’s presence. While if Communists again agree he can be present at Thursday meeting, he will be returning to Peiping end this week and therefore could not attend any subsequent meetings. His departure has already been postponed one week by Eden at my personal request and doubt further postponement can be obtained.

Request instructions.³

Smith

1. Repeated for information to Hong Kong, Taipei, and London.
2. Supra.
3. Tosec 370 to Geneva, June 8, stated that Johnson should have another meeting or two with the Chinese with further contact dependent upon results and that he should try to have Trevelyan or another British representative present at all meetings. (396.1 GE/6–854)