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

293.1111/8–1452: Telegram

No. 46
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Department of State¹

secret

London, August 14, 1952—6 p.m.

858. Deptel 916, August 8, rptd New Delhi 385, Hong Kong 472.²

1. UKHC New Delhi August 11 reported MFA [MEA] apparently shared Panikkar’s view fon nationals problem best handled by exercise great patience, and contemplated instructing Raghavan “play it long”. He wld wait until Chi confidence obtained, then plead case on humanitarian grounds. Immediate Raghavan approach on basis Pandit conversations thus unlikely. UKHC also stated MFA [MEA] goes out of way avoid imputing “political” functions to Pandit mission. He therefore thought it difficult in any event persuade GOI follow up Pandit conversations with Chou. In circumstances, UKHC suggested best course wld be to inform GOI of Lamb’s proposed representations, and discuss ways GOI cld help.

2. FonOff accepted this recommendation, and has instructed UKHC notify GOI and obtain comments. Until these recd, FonOff does not intend to instruct Lamb proceed with representations. It feels delay in delivery not important, and notes in any event, Lamb on leave until August 25.³

3. FonOff thinking is that formal representations by Lamb are ineffectual and merely matter of form. Important thing is to keep GOI interested and involved in problem, for Indian channel is by far most effective and productive one open to us.

4. Re Embtel 491, July 25. Regret United States Govt inadvertently omitted as one of govts on whose behalf note submitted.

5. As all three Australians held in China recently released, Australian Govt no longer concerned with this subject.

Holmes

1. Repeated for information to New Delhi and Hong Kong.
2. Telegram 916 stated that the Department believed it desirable that Lamb should deliver a note such as he had proposed as soon as possible and that it would welcome an approach to Chou by Raghavan as soon as possible after his arrival in Peking. (293.1111/7–2552)
3. On Sept. 17, Lamb delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peking a note, dated Sept. 15, renewing the requests made in his earlier note (see footnote 5, Document 15), and attached list of 45 British, Canadian, and U.S. nationals reportedly under arrest and 27 U.S. and Canadian nationals reportedly under house arrest; copies were sent to the Department under cover of despatch 2013 from London, Oct. 29. (293.1111/10–2952)