396.1 GE/6–1254: Telegram
No. 213
Under Secretary of State (Smith) to the
Department of State1
priority
Secto 428. June 10 meeting Chinese (Secto 415)2 proceeded much as anticipated (Secto 385).3 Communists made clear they expect extended negotiations and there was some implication they hope enlarge scope of talks.
We have thus far ignored political innuendos Communist statements and stuck to concrete questions relating to detained Americans.
Anticipate that the next meeting when, as they indicated, Communists take up question Chinese Nationals in US, they may attempt obtain recognition Peiping ability deal with US Government on behalf all Chinese aliens in US. We plan to give them already [Page 467] published statistical information with regard to Chinese students in US and departures students from US; discuss specifically the general problem of 120 students thus far denied permission depart on security grounds, and state that Chinese in US same as any other aliens are free to choose where they wish to live, and those who wish to live in Communist China will not be prevented from exercising this choice by US. We intend keep in mind importance of not derogating from our recognition of Nationalist Govt as Govt which represents and protects interests of Chinese Nationals in US.
Along with deterioration in atmosphere both Indochina and Korean phases of conference, ability to obtain benefits for Americans in China may decrease. The question of whether talks should be continued beyond next meeting difficult now to determine. In general, however, feel we should continue talks.
We are of course aware of dangers of protracted negotiations with Communists. It is probable that Communists will only release Americans when they feel nothing more to be gained by holding them. Since they have given every indication of wanting to prolong talks and give them political significance, Communists unlikely agree early release detained Americans, thus depriving themselves means to keep us coming, but may well dole out minor concessions from meeting to meeting. There are limits to what we can do obtain release Americans and Communists should be disabused any idea talks may have political results. Prolonging talks after we have made our case, however, might encourage this belief. We propose therefore to break off talks as soon as we are satisfied we have made best case possible on behalf detained Americans and have made maximum use whatever bargaining point we have on detained Chinese. This may take two or three more meetings.
As to detained Chinese, Communists will claim we detaining many times more than actually the case, and our agreement release specific number will have little effect. Moreover, we wish avoid heading into anything like person for person exchange. We believe best approach to problem is to state principle that any alien Chinese free to depart US for any destination, including Commie China, and that if Commies have information as to Chinese being detained (other than 120) they should provide us names as we have done in cases US citizens detained Communist China.
Department’s comments requested.4