Office of the Historian

795.00/1–551: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

top secret
niact
Paris, January 5, 1951—1 p. m.

3813. Depcirtel 3341 and Deptel 3526.2 Talked to Schuman this morning regarding question of branding Chinese Communists as aggressors. He will issue instructions today to Chauvel which he thinks will be satisfactory to us provided that the area of American military authority under any resolution proposed will not be extended beyond the frontiers of Korea at this time.

Bruce
  1. Dated January 3, p. 7.↩

  2. The text of this telegram, sent to Paris on January 4 at noon, read as follows:

    “Gross has just telephoned from NY that in conv with Chauvel he ascertained that latter has just recd instrs on question of branding Chi Commies as aggressors. Gen theme of instrs is that Chi shld not be so branded since this might give added provocation. FonOff apparently feels that if Chi not so provoked ‘they will perhaps behave’.

    “FYI only Chauvel is very much disturbed by these instrs and is presumably requesting reconsideration. He expressed personal opinion that it wld be desirable for you to see Pleven as well as Schuman on this question.” (795.00/1–451)

    René Pleven and Robert Schuman were French Premier and Foreign Minister, respectively.

    ↩