893.01/5–1249: Telegram
The Consul at Taipei (Edgar) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 13—6:48 a. m.]
162. My 150 perhaps poorly phrased, reDeptel 88. No single important personality involved. Was only attempting telegraphic synthesis [Page 332] of conversations of social contacts and increasing number of office callers on staff this Consulate General, USIE,50 Assistant Service Attachés now here and ECA officials.
Most important persons have been Communications Commissioner, Deputy Police Commissioner, 2 or 3 administrative directors.
In addition, Vice Consul recently on east coast, Vice Consul on south coast both report specific inquiries by Taiwanese. ECA Craig receiving steady stream harassed Tai businessmen, USIE worried Chinese intellectuals and Tai local personalities, Service Attachés and officials, foreign businessmen and others, all referring in varying degree directly or indirectly to us and others responsibility, inadequacy Governor Chen’s regime, apparent no implementation Chen pronounced policies, rapid deterioration local picture, various means of solution.
McDermott statement widely discussed privately and variously interpreted, as:
- (a)
- Mere reply to Wang Shih-chieh;
- (b)
- Re-issuance policy statement to close debate;
- (c)
- Opening gun in more positive approach.
Except for top old guard, most hope for (c) and cite recent local denunciation (see my 12151) of Kmt staging.
Since Nanking’s fall, increasing number Chinese contacts, including minor officials, are seeking roof to protect Taiwanese under which they too could crawl.