Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, China, Volume III

135. Telegram From the Secretary of State to Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson, at Geneva¹

Washington, January 23, 1955—7:33 p.m.

1533. Guidance for January 25 meeting.

1. Concur your proposal only to review and reiterate U.S. position on renunciation of force. Department’s press release January 21 (Deptel 1524)² affords guideline for your presentation.

2. You should not take any initiative to rephrase or reposition self-defense clause so as to set it apart from reference to Taiwan area, but you can make clear that its location is not designed to stop the Chinese Communists from pursuit of their policies by peaceful means with respect to Taiwan.

3. Renew demand that Communists make good on their undertaking to release Americans expeditiously. Reiterate no Chinese being prevented from leaving U.S., no case of Chinese claiming he being obstructed has been brought to Department’s attention by Indian Embassy, no response received to Department’s public statement December 16 asking anyone who knew of Chinese being obstructed to communicate at once with Department or Indian Embassy. Chinese in U.S. completely free to write to relatives on mainland China if they wish. No U.S. responsibility for fact that some fail to write. FYI Department investigating case of Yuan Jui-hsiang (your 1365),³ alleged by Wang to have been taken into custody by US Immigration Service. Will take some time since Immigration does not maintain central files individual cases and must query each immigration district office. May be impossible trace if name given by Wang differs radically from spelling used by individual himself. End FYI.

4. Contrast US performance with Communist refusal so far fulfill their commitment and emphasize Communist non-fulfillment would cast doubt on dependability of their pledged word.

5. Point out that responsibility for dragging out of talks lies with Communists, who not only fail to carry out their pledge of September 10, but also refuse to accept reasonable U.S. proposal for renunciation of force by both sides which would remove threat of war in Taiwan area and permit constructive discussion other practical matters at issue.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/1–2356. Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution. Drafted in CA; cleared by Secretary Dulles, according to a note in Robertson’s handwriting, and by Phleger and Sebald; and approved for transmission by Robertson.
2. Telegram 1524, January 20, transmitted the text of the Department’s January 21 statement. (Ibid., 611.93/1–2056)
3. Telegram 1365, January 13, transmitted a list which Wang had given to Johnson at the meeting the day before of three allegedly “missing” Chinese in the United States, including Yuan. (Ibid., 611.93/1–1356)