793B.00/11–1551: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Bowles) to the Secretary of State
1749. Ref Calcutta’s 248, Nov 14 to Dept, rptd Delhi 208. Emb has no doubt DL remains personally willing leave Tib in spite his return Lhasa from Yatung last July. Emb also believes DL personally still opposed provisions Sino-Tib agreement although recent reports re Tib ratification have been confirmed by GOI (Embtel 1745, Nov 15).1 We have no reason believe DL has changed his mind in either respect and interpret both developments, particularly latter, as indicating DL and his govt are no longer free agents and are gradually succumbing pressure created by presence Chi Commie troops in Lhasa and elsewhere in Tib. Under such circumstances it is understandable [names deleted] who have … fears for his safety wld dream of ways in which he cld achieve freedom.
Emb believes, however, their suggestions for overt US provision of planes, arms, supplies and leadership are practically impossible and politically undesirable at this time. Overt US aid wld be considered by Commie Chi as US intervention in Tib affairs; it wld provide Commie Chi with ready-made excuses for further extension their control Tib; and it wld also subject US to renewed propaganda charges imperialism in Asia. Furthermore, provision US aid wld require full coop on part Ind because of Tib geographic position. It is highly unlikely GOI wld be willing permit US aid to transit Ind or itself to supply Tib for fear effect on Ind relations with Commie Chi. It is also likely Ind wld resent any US effort provide covert assistance to Tib at this time.
Although … US assistance felt practically and politically undesirable at this time Emb believes US shld make at least one final effort by letter or oral messages to encourage DL to resist in way$ best known to Tib Govt. Emb believes new letter from Takste who carries document from DL as latter’s authorized rep wld be best means. It might reiterate previous US statements in simple terms and include practical suggestions by Takste whose knowledge sit in Lhasa shld assist him in recommending steps to be taken in immediate future. [Page 1849] Although it may not be feasible, DL might for example make pilgrimage to Buddhist shrines in Tib from one of which he might escape southward to Ind.
Dept might also … send DL small gifts such as newest photographic equipment and colored film in which DL greatly interested. On basis previous experience Emb believes latter although small wld rep tangible evidence to DL of US friendship and wld have effect far out of proportion to their monetary value.2
Sent Dept 1749, rptd info Calcutta 153.
- Not printed.↩
- A draft message to be forwarded by Taktser to the Dalai Lama, attached to a memorandum of November 19, 1951, from Perkins to Allison, not printed, affirmed “our original position—full aid and assistance to you when you come out” and stated that although it was not possible to fly into Lhasa for him, aid would be given to him in his flight if it was both necessary and feasible. A handwritten notation on Perkins’ memorandum indicates that Matthews gave his approval on November 23 (793.B11/11–1951). Telegram 1067 to New Delhi, November 26, 1951, not printed, informed the Embassy that a letter from Taktser and a gift for the Dalai Lama had been forwarded to Calcutta (793B.00/11–2551).↩