694.001/11–2251: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
3080. Re Deptel 3041, Nov 19.1 Immediately following later telegram2 contains text Eden’s personal message to Secretary delivered to him afternoon Nov 21 and text Secretary’s message in reply sent Eden Nov 22 in confirmation conversation Secretary had evening Nov 21, with Eden. Schuchbough,3 Battle4 and Merchant also present.
In that conversation the Secretary asked Eden to elaborate on thoughts behind his message, particularly re “modus vivendi” adding that we believed Japs would want to work out with Chi Nats property claims under Art IV of multilateral, representation and related questions and that from such informal talks preliminary consideration might develop re an agreement which would not be concluded until after Japan had regained its sovereignty. The Secretary said it was not a question of “recognition” but of practical realities. Eden indicated he had no objection to Japanese discussing practical problems with auths of Formosa, but that he was concerned with political aspects; he could not approve any move looking toward recognition of the Nats as the Govt of China and in particular he believed it most important that no relationship develop between Japan and Formosa which could give rise to suspicion that the latter might return to control of the former or that we were going back on the Cairo declaration. [Page 1409] The Secretary agreed and commented that we were thinking in terms of a treaty or agreement which recognized the realities of the Chi Nats position.
Secretary then suggested and Eden agreed that practical working out of problem of our attitude toward Japanese and preservation of undivided front be left to Dulles and Dening in Tokyo next month against background this conversation and with each reporting back in event of difficulty in which event he and Eden could communicate with each other. Eden said he would send instructions to Dening in this general sense.
Sent Dept 380, rptd info London 833.