Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 2

293.1111/9–751: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Legation in Switzerland

confidential   priority

Washington, September 10, 1951—7 p.m.

338. You may reply to question raised urtel 352 Sep 7¹ as fol:

A. Dept knows of no Chi Commies in US unable return China. However, state that Dept wld consider any attempt barter most unacceptable as this wld give rise to counter-hostage system which wld play into hands Chi Commies who place low value on human element in situation. We are particularly desirous this point not be raised in Peiping.

B. Immed fol tel² lists names, whereabouts imprisoned and detained Amers. Great majority are missionaries. List is substantially same as names previously submitted to Commie auths Peiping by Brit Chargé.

Dept of course cognizant of difficulties dealing with Chi Commies, but will probably be difficult for long to withhold info concerning action taken, in view fairly wide knowledge of msg and forthcoming representations by powers in Peiping.

Acheson

1. The reference telegram reported that the Minister in Switzerland, Richard C. Patterson, had that day presented the Department’s message to the Swiss Foreign Minister, Max Petitpierre, who said the Swiss Government would be prepared to take action on humanitarian grounds but would need time to consider the best method of presenting the matter; Petitpierre requested information as to whether there were any Chinese Communists in the United States who were unable to return to China and might be exchanged for U.S. nationals and also for a list of the U.S. nationals concerned and their whereabouts (293.1111/9–751).
2. Not printed.