603.4193/10–951: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State
1729. New Delhi 1221, October 3 to Department. At suggestion FonOff EmbOff called yesterday in order examine text of tel from Peiping giving Lamb’s version of what Panikkar had told him of conversation he had with Chen Chia-kang, just prior to his departure for India October 4, on subject welfare Amers in China. EmbOff was [Page 1830] cautioned utilize greatest discretion on passing to Department substance of Lamb’s tel, as GOI had complained bitterly to UK that Lamb’s detailed reporting on Panikkar’s activities was undermining usefulness of Indian Emb in Peiping and, if it were necessary to inform US of anything GOI might be doing in support Amer interests China, appropriate channel of communication would be via New Delhi rather than London or Washington. Abridged version Peiping’s tel dated October 5 follows:
According Panikkar, Raschin has seen CPG PriMin re welfare fon natls but has not specified nature or result of conversation.
Panikkar had just received instructions present to CPG list of Amers under arrest with request for info about them. List to be sent shortly. Meanwhile he had spoken to Chen who, tho he eventually undertook to see whether desired info could be supplied, made following contentious statement:
- (a)
- Many Chinese being arrested and detained in Hawaii and US just for being Chinese and in PI and Malaya on security grounds; on what justification therefore did US and other govts complain about arrests in China of relatively small number their natls for security reasons?
- (b)
- Anti-foreign feeling so strong in China, CPG might not be able keep it in check were it known masses of foreigners being treated with special leniency.
- (c)
- Therefore, CPG purposely had not given publicity to arrests Amer and other nationals.
- (d)
- Position CPG FonOff would be strengthened if Chi people realized US and other govts considered their natls were being severely dealt with. (In reply to Lamb’s question whether this extraordinary example of Chi casuistry meant CPG would welcome utmost publicity abroad, Panikkar merely observed it showed peculiar psychology.)
Panikkar also told Lamb Chen had taken similar line with [when] Indonesian Chargé, during recent interview on own initiative, had referred to position of Amers and other fon natls in China. Chen argued Indon had recently arrested 700 Chinese for security reasons; therefore why should Indon take up defense of some 40 Amers arrested for similar reasons? Chen insisted this point though Indon Charge pointed out that 80 were Chinese, balance being Indonesians.
Lamb obtained impression from above that CPG somewhat disconcerted over various representations and by unanimity of view which they offered. This did not mean CPG wld listen to reason but might contain merest hint CPG considering face-saving expedient of expelling as undesirables at least some of those arrested. Perhaps a clue will be offered in reply to Panikkar’s specific request for info re persons listed.