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

396.1 GE/7–2254: Telegram

No. 237
The Head of the United States Delegation at the Geneva Conference (Johnson) to the Department of State¹

confidential
niact

Geneva, July 22, 1954—6 p.m.

Secto 727. Comments on second staff level meeting on Americans in China (Secto 712).²

1. Atmosphere essentially same as previous meeting except subject of representation of interests versus continued staff contact on limited subjects injected air of calculated maneuvering on part Communists. Otherwise, meeting slightly more informal than previous.

2. Promised release these particular six Americans is no great concession by Communists since these cases presumably involved no judicial review in which commutation of sentences involved. However, can hope this may prove be break in log-jam. Some indication this may be true was given me yesterday by Wang Ping-Nan in buffet after last conference meeting. I suggested I might ask Jenkins remain few days if Wang “considered likely there would shortly be additional information on Americans”. He replied affirmatively, but was noncommittal about best means contact to follow present arrangement.

3. Release of six, however, be merely bait to facilitate reopening subject third party representation. This appears certainly major factor in Communist action, but we also believe it not the exclusive one and that chances fair to good that at least appreciable number Americans will be gradually released. Meanwhile, maneuvering for diplomatic communication of some sort will doubtless continue.

4. Major emphasis was placed by Communists on phrase “equality and reciprocity” and heaviest emphasis on this followed mention of Trevelyan as two-way contact. We believe Pu intended rejection this means at least for these talks, but refrained take advantage of at least two chances for flat rejection, presumably thinking of possibility other issues arising which we would only be willing handle through Trevelyan. This conviction and caution lest too much inflexibility upset what we hope is beginning favorable trend led to suggestion second alternative Tosec 582³ on basis reference in Tosec 509.⁴

Pu noncommittal on this since doubtless needed seek instructions. I recommend that Jenkins remain for few days to see if anything develops. If Communists accept switch to staff level Consulate General contact for near future, believe we will not thereby give them any appreciably political capital, so long as contact restricted these two subjects. It can be considered natural outgrowth of conference contact for purpose unfinished business and in sense step-down from present arrangement.

5. Does Department now wish release say less than dozen Chinese students as reason for our side calling meeting? Request instructions including timing. Believe we can afford this time call meeting, if for purpose giving further list students, nearer to date of previous meeting than may be appropriate after next release of Americans.

6. At next meeting we plan note with regret no action yet taken in line of commutation of sentences and express hope imprisoned Americans may be soon released, pointing out length of time they have been in prison.

7. Believe some adverse press along line “proof of pudding yet to come” may be useful now, preferably originating in US rather than Geneva, but believe big ammunition (such as accusing Communists of dealing in human lives to gain political capital) best saved for time when and if flow again stops.

Johnson

1. Repeated for information to London, Hong Kong, and Taipei.
2. Supra.
3. See footnote 1, supra.
4. Document 227.