Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of China Dr. V. K. Wellington Koo, and Director of Far Eastern Affairs Mr. W. W. Butterworth

SEERET 186 S/S DEPARTMENT OF STATE 31 Memorandum of Conversation coaf ov DATE: February 15, 1949 SUBJECT: China PARTICIPANTS: Dr. V. K. Wellington Koo, Chinese Ambassador The Secretary - Mr. Acheson Mr. W. W. Buttervorth, Director for Far Eastern Affairs COPIES TO: S G FE CA Amembassy, Nanking Amconsul, Canton 1-1492 The Chinese Ambassador called at his request and af ter the usual courtesies indicated that he had come to see me about three matters. He gave a brief resume of the situation in China with particular reference to the attempts of the Acting Presi- dent to find a basis of negotiati ons with the Chinese Communist Party. He indicated that his Government wished to obtain the reaction of this Government and other friendly governments to the situation with which China was faced. He referred to the Chinese Government's previously expressed desires to have issued by the U. s. a sympathetic statement of support and the despateh to China of a high military personage with staff. We discussed the situation at some length, I emphasizing the friendly interest and concern and benevolent policy which the U. S. had consistently pursued for over a century and he with no little persistence seeking to obtain some statement of commitment by me on behalf of this Government. Secondly, he raised the question of the recent ECA announcement regarding cotton shipments to Shanghai, emphasizing the importance which the employment in cotton mills and the ensuing cotton cloth played in the life of DEC ASSIFIED Shanghal E. O. 11632 Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or OS Dept. of State letter, 1333333 By NLT. He NARS Date 4.2676 SECRET