Evening star., 1955-01-21
Chou's Willingness to Let Kin
Visit jailed Americans Bored;
u. S. Won't Encourage Trips
U. N. and Peiping Tell
Of Results From
Hummurskjold Trip
Ry The As,eeiased Pres

BY me Asseeiassd Prsss
UNITED NATIONS. N. T..
Jan. 21.-Red China, in q sur
prise move with overtones Of
propaganda, announced today
the relatives Of II Americans
Jailed there are welcome to visit
the prisoners.
The Americans were as
sociated with United States
armed forces in the United
Nations Command that spear
headed the Korean fighting
against the Communists.
The United Nations also an
nounced the offer. saying 1t grew
out Of the recent Dag Ham,
marskjold mission to Peiping.
The u. N. secretary general
sought to free American prison.
ers held in China.
The announcement made by
Peiping and at the United Ma
tons here said:,
Premier Chou En-lai, during
his talks with Secretary General
Dag Hammarskjold, indicated
that the Government Of the
Peoples Republic Of China would
provide facilities for relatives to
visit those United States per-
sonnel who have been convicted
and those whose cases were
under investigation, If they
should wish to do so, and that
the Red Cross Society of China
would make all the arrangements
necessary.
Hammarskjold Confident.
Later a U. N. spokesman said
Mr.. Hammarskjold has no doubt
about the safety of those mem
bers Of the families wishing to
visit China to see their men,"
This statement evidently was
made because the United States
cannot guarantee the safety Of
its citizens travelling in countries
with which 1t has no diplomatic
relations.
While the United States per-
sonnel referred to in the an
nouncement were not specified,
the understanding here was that
they include the IL flyers con-
victed on spy charges: two civil
ians who were seized on spy |
charges; and four jet pilots whose
cases the Chinese have an
nounced as under investigation.
Mr.. Hammarskjold informed
Henry Cabot Lodge, jr.. United
States delegate, Of this action
at his first talk with him on
January 13 Immediately upon
his return from his globe
girdling trip.
Mr.. Hammarskjold also told
Secretary Of State Dulles, when
he conferred with him in WASH
ington this week, that he had
received assurances of the we'll
being of the prisoners.
No member of Mr.. Hammar-
skjold's party, however. went to
see the prisoners personally.
U. s. Left to Give Assurances.
The U. N. is leaving 1t up to
the United States to inform the
families Of the men of these as
surances. 1t was believed here
that. If any Of the relatives de-
sired to see the prisoners they
would have to act first to get
visas and then they might work
through the U. N. to make ar
rangements for trip.
The secretary general from the
beginning of his mission has had
uppermost in his mind the aax-
iety of the families about the
health and the condition Of the
Americans and 1t is believed he
made a special effort to inquire
on that point and then he re-
ceiyed the assurances of their
well-being.
There was no indication from
any U. N. official today whether
any progress has been made to-
ward releasing the prisoners or
committing their sen tie nces.
However the feeling among U. N.
officials concerned with these
long-distance talks is that the
prisoners eventually win be freed.
An Eastern European source said
earlier this week that he believed
also the prisoners would be lib
Grated at q later date.
A United Nations Official, in
sisting that his name not be
used, told reporters there is a
feeling in U.N. quarters that the
relatives visit might expedite
release Of the prisoners. He said
the feeling among some people
in the U.N. secretariat is that
the Chinese might take the OPP
portunity to commute q prison.
er's sentence and release him to
return home with the relative.
No 0f3inial here would talk