396.1 GE/4–1354: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gowen) to the Department of State
priority
362. Geneva Conference. Am reliably informed certain American patriotic groups such as Committee For One Million (against admission Red China to United Nations), American Legion, Veterans Foreign Wars, DAR, Gold Star Mothers, etc are considering sending representatives here from US and posting pickets protesting against Red China in vicinity Palais Des Nations UN headquarters here during conference. This proposed demonstration would consist some twelve pickets displaying such messages as “Bar Red China from UN”, “No Deal With Red China”. Information clearly indicates number reputable Americans in US behind plan and ready finance it believing it would support America’s position re Red China at conference and minimize prospect adding Geneva to “list of American lost conferences”.
For obvious reasons Department may wish consider doing everything possible prevent or at least discourage any such plan. Pelt United Nations European Director here tells me no pickets any form whatsoever of political demonstrators will be allowed within UN premises and grounds here. Chief of Justice and Police Department Geneva Canton tells me any such demonstrations on Swiss territory would be immediately broken up by police, demonstrators would be promptly arrested and expelled from Switzerland. He added all applications for holding such demonstrations during conference or any other time would be immediately refused and no demonstrations no matter how plausible or proper will be allowed in any part of Switzerland whether sponsors are pro or con Red China or any other country government or political religious or racial groups.