893.01/10–449: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Steere) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 4—4:03 p. m.]
881. We called to attention of Chief Political Section Foreign Office editorial in today’s Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant on China. Principal points made in article were:
As matters now stand, Communist Government is a reality and Nationalist Government is “not much more than a fiction”. There is, therefore, every reason for other countries besides Russia to recognize [Page 99] Communist Government de facto. De jure recognition would create more difficulties for many governments other than Russia since they are bound to the “old state” by treaties. The democracies are afraid of resigning themselves to real situation China. Furthermore, de jure recognition would give Russia an ally in SC.73 If three big Western democracies wish to avoid SC becoming paralysed, “they might feel obligated to give de jure recognition to the Chinese People’s Republic sooner than they intended. This might not be a bad thing. It is after all no use running away from reality.”
Foreign Office official said that except for sentence re treaties, he was forced to admit that there was a good deal of sense in article. He continued that he did not feel that recognition Communist Government could be postponed for a very long time, but he was careful to add that Holland would thoroughly study opinions of big powers and that Holland would not precipitate any action re recognition.
Official also informed us that extensive Netherlands Embassy property in Peking now in charge of by [a] junior official. Accordingly today telegram being sent to Nanking that, before Netherlands Ambassador leaves, Counselor should make trip to Peking ostensibly for inspection of Embassy. If necessary, added official, Counselor’s stay in Peking “could be extended for some time”.
Sent Department 881; repeated Moscow 5, London 97.
- Security Council of the United Nations.↩