893.01/12–1649
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs (Sprouse)
| Participants: | Mr. Hubert Graves, Counselor, British Embassy |
| Mr. Butterworth, Assistant Secretary | |
| Mr. Sprouse, CA |
Mr. Graves called at his request this afternoon and explained that he was doing so, because of the illness of the Ambassador, in order to present a personal message75 (a copy of which is attached) from Mr. Bevin to the Secretary regarding the question of recognition of the Chinese Communist regime. He pointed out the message indicated the desire of Mr. Bevin that no publicity be given to the decision of the British Cabinet in this regard until the British Government is ready to notify the Chinese Government and emphasized the desirability [Page 225] of no publicity in this matter. Mr. Graves also handed Mr. Butterworth an additional brief memorandum (a copy of which is attached76) which indicated that Mr. Bevin would be grateful for a reply from the Secretary and further set forth the British Government’s view regarding the position of Formosa.