Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 1

694.001/11–1751: Telegram

The Ambassador in London (Gifford) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, November 17, 1951—noon.

2397. For Merchant¹ from Ringwalt. Embtel 1072, Nov 16 to Paris 2389 to Dept.²

1. Conversation with Scott this morning revealed Dening’s reaction to draft agreement not adverse—rather he wanted time to think it over. Main emphasis Dening’s tel was his understanding present-day Jap psychology. He expressed view that since San Francisco Japs have been construing their status as already semi-independent, an attitude fostered by SCAP’s understandable efforts build up Japan internationally. Japs, Dening thinks, are beginning to feel “uppish” and will likely react strongly to strong-arm methods. Dening afraid US does not completely realize this. He convinced future Jap relations with US remain dominant factor in Far East and he wonders whether US insistence on influencing Jap relations with Formosa will not in long run prove detrimental such relations.

2. Main difficulty, according to Scott, will be with Eden to whom draft agreement came as bomb-shell. Eden told Scott he had no idea subj Jap-Formosan relations were even subject to review, that he did not recall being given substance Telac 10 of Nov 7³ to Paris containing background your visit to London, and that he had no idea what you and Scott were to discuss. Therefore Eden wants time to consider whether draft agreement is in fact within framework existing Brit policy.

3. Scott informs me in strict confidence he has prepared full brief for Eden defending draft agreement and urging Eden’s approval. He seems reasonably confident Eden will be won over.

4. I shall check with Johnston early Monday afternoon⁴ and plan to telephone you shortly thereafter. Meanwhile you may wish consider desirability remaining Paris few days longer in order assist Secy in any conversations with Eden on latter’s return to Paris.

Sent Paris priority 1080, rptd info Dept 2397. [Ringwalt.]

Gifford

1. Mr. Merchant had left London for Paris the evening of November 17.
2. In this telegram, marked “for Allison from Merchant,” the latter had stated in part that he had learned from Mr. Scott that Sir Esler Dening had reacted adversely to the draft agreement with regard to a joint Anglo-American approach to Sino-Japanese relations and that Eden had said, again according to Mr. Scott, that “he had not had time to fully go into problem but had [had] no idea Scott and I were going so far and so fast” (694.001/11–1651)
3. Ante, p. 1393.
4. November 19.