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

396.1 GE/7–2954: Telegram

No. 245
The Consul General at Geneva (Gowen) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Geneva, July 29, 1954—6 p.m.

163. Re Deptel 129, July 28.² Shillock and Jenkins with Ekvall as interpreter met 11 a.m. July 29 with Chinese Consul Hsiah Fei and interpreter Yeh in first meeting on such staff level after Geneva conference meeting as authorized held in non-government place Hotel Beau-Rivage Geneva. Cost of room shared jointly.

We gave Hsiah list names seven Chinese students Attorney General prepared permit depart US (Tosec 599, July 23).³ After expressing appreciation Hsiah inquired whether they had already left U.S. Replied assumed not yet.

We inquired whether Hsiah had information re Americans in China imprisoned or otherwise detained. He replied no information this meeting. We expressed hope receive news early date.

We inquired whether any information received concerning inclusion Chinese wife and American child in exit permit approved for Alfred Pattison (Secto 712, July 21). Hsiah answered he could not answer this question.

Hsiah referred Chinese previous proposal for third party representation stating it should still be considered as being beneficial both sides. We replied present staff level machinery set up for specific purpose exchanging information and we could not now add to what had already been said this subject. Hsiah again later referred this matter expressing hope Jenkins would take up proposal for consideration upon return Washington.

Chinese made oblique reference question of “record of meetings.” We remarked both sides were taking full notes which could constitute respective record proceedings.

Question press release not raised. Do not propose make any announcements unless Chinese do so.

Meeting informal and lasting about 40 minutes. Hsiah seemed unsure himself. It was understood next meeting would be arranged when either side had further information to exchange. Hsiah indicated language next meeting to be French only. This perhaps for political reasons.⁴

Jenkins leaves today for Berlin.

Gowen

1. Repeated for information to London and Hong Kong.
2. Telegram 129 to Geneva concurred in arrangements for a meeting, scheduled for July 29, between Jenkins, U.S. Consul at Geneva, John C. Shillock, and a member of the staff of the Chinese Consulate General in Geneva. (611.95A241/7–2854)
3. Not printed.
4. Shillock’s next meeting with Hsiah was held on Sept. 3 at Chinese initiative; the discussion was in English at Hsiah’s request. Hsiah stated that, because the People’s Republic of China had no postal agreement with the United States, packages sent to U.S. prisoners in China by relatives should be forwarded through countries with which China had postal agreements, unless they were under one kilogram gross weight. Neither Shillock nor Hsiah had any other information to report. The meeting was described in telegram 224 from Geneva, Sept. 3, 1954. (611.95A241/9–354)