795.00/10–350: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
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[Received October 3—5:54 p. m.]
490. Secretary-General Boon gave me today résumé all recent cables from Dutch Chargé Peking bearing Korean situation. Explained while no date fixed therein this most recent information and based largely Panikkar’s observation although checked by Dutch language officers with such sources as still available. Boon believed reports correct although inclined believe might be some bluffing.
- “(1) Chou En-lai said private conversation China would fight in case 38th Parallel were crossed; when pointed out events UNO–Assembly and SC seemed indicate more favorable tendency towards China and event war with USA Chinese industrial resources and equipment especially Manchuria bound be completely destroyed, Chou En-lai insisted China had defended herself against ‘further aggression’ by USA; crossing 38th would be considered such.
- “(2) Chief of Staff Chinese Army private conversation made statement China no choice but fight if 38th Parallel crossed; although realized war with USA would set back China’s development 50 years or more, Chief of Staff opinion if no resistance offered this time, China would forever be under American control.
- “(3) Furthermore learned from Peking, Nehru cable personal message Mao stating: (a) Great Britain, France and US decided New York 38th Parallel would not be crossed until after matter been discussed UNO. (b) India against crossing 38th Parallel by military forces, (c) India bringing much pressure as possible on UK prevent crossings”.
Boon said telegram appreciation foregoing information that moment in from Peking high points of which he translated allowing me take notes.
Dutch Chargé convinced Peking Government does not want war but there real danger in moment panic Chinese Communists might precipitate situation if our forces cross 38th and penetrate deeply Korea. Known Chinese Communists have approximately one million their best troops Manchuria. Dutch Chargé reports it clear Panikkar himself fellow traveler or highly sympathetic Chinese Communist regime and cited Panikkar quoted as evidence US determined, war-like course that it had retained service Matthews as Secretary Navy after “preventive war” speech.1 Panikkar stated US promises it would [Page 859] withdraw troops Korea soon as stable government established all very well but not convincing and Dutch Chargé inclined however believe as Boon indicated (first paragraph this cable) some this belligerent Communist China attitude bluff although Chinese Communist feeling toward US still intensely bitter largely because arms, ammunition furnished Chiang Kai-shek during and after Chinese civil war.
Boon referred statement made me yesterday by Stikker that Indian delegation Lake Success at first strongly endorsed crossing 38th Parallel and UK peace proposals but when matter referred Nehru there had been complete about face. This would seem in line with numbered paragraph (3) above. Boon also made interesting statement he knew for fact Panikkar had in June strongly advised Nehru have India oppose UN declaration of North Koreans as aggressors but that particular case his message due communications difficulties arrived subsequent positive action Indian delegation Lake Success on Nehru’s instructions. In almost every other case, said Boon, Nehru accepted Panikkar’s advice as against that of Senegal Rau.
Boon emphasized above information must be closely guarded since if any leak occurred, sources information would dry up completely.
Am not repeating this any other post.
- In a speech in Boston on August 25, Secretary of the Navy Francis P. Matthews advocated that the United States institute a war to compel cooperation for peace, adding that the United States would thus become the first aggressor for peace.↩