Message from Ernest Bevin to Oliver Franks

19 COPY Message from Mr. Bevin to Sir Oliver Franks dated 11th October, 1950 I have read an account of a broadcast by General Kia Il Sung, Premier of North Korea, in which, according to the translation, be said "The Korean People are not standing alone in our struggle and are receiving the absolute support of the Soviet Union, the Chinese People, etc." I have also seen a statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peking on October 10th to the effect that the Chinese could not stand idly by in the event of the cusssing of the 38th parallel on a large scale. 2. The North Korean statement seems to show that they have no intention of responding to General MacArthur's appeal for surrender. Both statements are no doubt intended mainly for internal consulption, in North Korea and in China respectively, but in view of President Truman's impending meeting with General MacArthur I consider it of the highest importance that there should be no doubt whatsoever in the mind of the United States Govern ent about our view of the serious consequences that would flow from Chinese intervention in Korea. It is not possible to assess the prospects of such intervention. Whilst we cannot take Chinese statements at their face value, it is equally impossible to discount them completely. But should they in fact intervene openly I consider it vital that General MacArthur should not take reprisals against them outside Korean territory without express sanction from President Truman. I should of course like to be sure that this sanction would not be given without prior consultation between the United States Government and His Majesty's Government. 3. We hope and trust that the United Nations Forces are on the point of consolidating their brilliantmilitary victory. No-one can foretell how Korea will develop in the more distant future but if our military successes are consolidated and if there is no outside intervention by China or by Russia then the way will be clear for the United Nations to give Korea an opportunity to develop on democratic lines under a unified Government and with her economy restored and war damage made good. This SEARCT