795.00/1–1851: Telegram
The Ambassador in Canada (Woodward) to the Secretary of State
priority
203. I have today discussed with External Minister Pearson Depcirtel 387 and the outline of resolution to be submitted to the UN. Pearson is familiar with our position and said that so far as Canada concerned action should be taken immediately by UN to condemn Chinese Communist aggression. He made following 2 points: 1. Chinese Communists should be condemned for helping North Koreans as aggressors in Korea, this to prevent spread of war to China and to get degree of unanimity in UN. 2. Keep open the cease-fire offer for acceptance at later date if CPG of PRC wants to do so, possibly with establishment of another committee by UN, not Pearson hopes, continuation of cease-fire committee which he said had not only leaned over backwards but had practically fallen over backwards in offering cease-fire terms.
Pearson again made the point as at press conference this morning full text of Chinese reply possibly open to more than one interpretation although declared publicly by Canadian Government as unacceptable. Pearson returning UN New York tonight. He had just talked with PriMin1 when I called on him.
In reply Department’s request my comments regarding alternatives point one Depcirtel 387, I believe Canadian Government would be willing to brand CPG of PRC “aggressor” were it not for a fear that this might lead to “the bombing of Shanghai” as Pearson expressed to me today. In my opinion they might endorse “guilty of aggression in Korea” or condemn the CPG of PRC’s actions in Korea.
- Louis St. Laurent.↩