Office of the Historian

209. Telegram From the Ambassador in Indonesia (Cumming) to the Department of State1

Jakarta, April 21, 1955—4 p.m.

1935. During third day conference rumors concerning behind scenes meetings on Taiwan continued circulate widely but little solid foundation or confirming evidence discovered. Rumors vary from report series 2-power negotiations, e.g. Chou–Nehru2 to further elaboration on allegedly proposed meeting between China, Colombo powers, Thailand and Philippines (Embassy telegrams 1895 and 1913).3

However member Turkish delegation reports absolutely no knowledge any such meetings or proposed meetings. However, reasonably reliable American correspondent states that Ceylonese did come armed with proposal to put Nationalist Government “on ice”, place Taiwan under guardianship Colombo powers, and hold plebiscite under unclear terms of reference after five years.4 Local press reports meeting indefinitely postponed. Number of meetings among chief delegates being held tonight but as yet no information on topics for discussion or results.

Cumming
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 670.901/4–2155. Secret. Received at 9:36 a.m.↩
  2. Telegram 1958 from Jakarta, April 21, stated that previous reports of a Sino-Indian meeting on the evening of April 19 on the subject of tension in the Taiwan area were correct, but that Chou had met only with Menon, and Nehru had not been present. (Ibid.)↩
  3. Telegram 1895 from Jakarta, April 19, which reported developments at the conference that day, stated that Sir John Kotelawala had reportedly invited the other Colombo powers (Burma, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan), China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines to meet on April 21. Telegram 1913 from Jakarta, April 19, which reported a conversation with a member of the Turkish Delegation, referred to the yet-unconfirmed report. (Both ibid., 670.901/4–1955)↩
  4. Telegram 1971 from Jakarta, April 22, transmitted a report that Prime Minister Kotelawala had said at a press conference that Ceylon would propose such a plan, although he had not specified trusteeship under the Colombo powers, and that Ceylon would propose a conference sponsored by the five Colombo powers, China, the Philippines, and Thailand. (Ibid.)↩