Office of the Historian

795.00/1–2351: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State

secret
London, January 23, 1951—6 p. m.

4071. Embtel 4065.1 Dixon2 called Embassy officer to FonOff this afternoon to explain this morning’s cabinet decision on UN Korea case, substance of which is contained in Attlee statement in Commons this afternoon. Dixon emphasized two substantive reasons for decision: (1) Reluctance to drive wedge between West and Asians, who oppose US draft resolution and feel this is Asian question in which they have strong legitimate interest, and (2) Feeling that there is still slight chance of negotiated settlement and consequent desire to keep door open. He said fundamental reason for decision, however, was that cabinet felt it could not carry country with it in supporting present US resolution.

Dixon said Jebb being instructed to endeavor obtain further postponement debate and Franks being instructed again to review UK position to Secretary and, we gather, plead for no action until there [Page 120] is further chance to “test Peking sincerity”. At same time Dixon said cabinet decision permitted UK vote for resolution condemning Chinese for “intervening in support of aggression” but delay was being sought in order avoid Jebb voting against objectionable parts US draft.

Embassy officer again reviewed at length US views and speaking personally stated he was sure Department would be extremely disappointed at completely negative nature Franks’ approach. Dixon did not deny unrealism of expecting any “sincere” or constructive results from further approaches to Peking and indicated he would send further instructions to Franks authorizing him attempt work out mutually acceptable amendments to US draft resolution which might bring it within limits cabinet decision and thus save UN from maintaining completely pusillanimous posture vis-à-vis Chinese.

Gifford
  1. The telegram, not printed, summarized Prime Minister Attlee’s statement in the House of Commons wherein he said that the United Kingdom was ready to condemn Communist China’s intervention in Korea in support of an aggressor but did not feel that the time had come to consider further measures in the United Nations (795.00/1–2351). For the text of Mr. Attlee’s statement, see Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th Series, vol. 483, col. 41.↩
  2. Sir Pierson Dixon, Deputy Under-Secretary of State, British Foreign Office.↩