794A.00/8–350: Telegram

The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald) to the Secretary of State

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315. ReDeptel 180, August 2 [1]. General MacArthur has advised me that as theater commander his discussions with the Gimo and Chinese military authorities were entirely limited to arrangements for effective military coordination between the American and Chinese forces respectively under his and Chinese Nationalist Government command, as envisaged in the press statement and aide-mémoire,1 and that he was most meticulous in confining his discussions with Chinese Government officials to military problems of a technical nature. With reference to his main discussion General MacArthur has pointed out that he invited the Army, Navy, and Air attachés of the Embassy to be present and that Strong would undoubtedly be in a position to report the consensus of their views.

As ancillary to his visit General MacArthur told me in confidence of his definite impression of deep resentment in Chinese official circles resulting from what was taken to be an attitude of general hostility on the part of State Department representatives in Taipei. Without entering into any discussion of the relative merits or demerits of the issues which may be involved, he believes there has been a very definite failure to establish a relationship based upon that degree of confidence and cordiality which is so essential to diplomatic success. He is particularly concerned over the adverse effect the continuance of such a situation might have upon his efforts to maximize the military coordination indispensable to the success of joint operations in the defense of Formosa.

Sebald
  1. Reference is to Chinese statement accepting the terms of the United States aide-mémoire of June 27, vol. vii, p. 188.