894A.01/1–1249: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:45 p. m.]
89. Embassy inclined concur with Department’s judgment that issuance of evacuation warning to American citizens residing Taiwan this juncture would seem premature (Deptel 20, January 7, sent Taipei as 2). In our judgment following factors are determining:
- (1)
- Chinese Government forces presently on island are sufficiently strong to put down potential native uprisings.
- (2)
- No prospect in foreseeable future of serious military threat to island by Communist forces on mainland.
- (3)
- In light of reported government plans for Taiwan, issuance at this time of public warning to Americans to evacuate would be considered body blow to already reeling Nationalist Government which it has been our policy to support.
We submit these considerations with full realization that ConGen at Taipei has responsibility for making recommendations with respect to safety of consular dependents and American citizens in Taiwan and we would of course be guided by his judgment in final analysis.
Sent Department 89; repeated Taipei.