894A.20/10–2849: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Taipei (Taipei)
412. Ref memo re Formosa which was submitted to NSC20 and copy of which transmitted you under cover Top Secret instr Oct 13,21 Memo approved with fol changes: [Page 402]
- (1)
- Delete first sentence in outline views this Govt to be conveyed to Gimo contained in nrd [numbered] para 6 and change second sentence to read “The US Govt does not intend to commit any of its armed forces to the defense of the Island”.
- (2)
- No public or press statement US views to be made.
Dept accordingly desires you seek suitable opportunity convey to Gimo fol US views re Formosa:
“The US Govt does not intend to commit any of its armed forces to the defense of the Island. It is concerned, however, lest the chaos of the mainland spread to Taiwan and believes that a higher level of polit and econ well-being must be provided if serious unrest is to be avoided and the legitimate aspirations of the population of Taiwan met. The previous misgovernment of Taiwan has been a cause for serious concern on the part of the US and there have been disturbing indications of unrest among the population of Taiwan as civilian refugees and mil forces have arrived in large numbers on the Island. The US attitude toward Taiwan will depend largely on the action of the present Chi admin in establishing an efficient admin which wld seek to bring to the people a higher level of polit and econ well-being. The resources of the Island, together with the material assets available to the Chi admin are believed to be sufficient to enable that admin substantially to improve conditions through its own efforts. Unless effective steps are taken initially by the Chi admin itself, external aid wld be of little benefit and wld be largely dissipated. The US Govt will, therefore, continue to watch with interest the efforts of the Chi admin to initiate those measures which are necessary to provide the basis for effective admin and effective utilization of the resources of Taiwan. While the US Govt will continue to furnish econ assistance to Taiwan under existing legis[lation], the provision of any additional aid will depend upon the future performance of the Chi admin on Taiwan.”
You shld convey foregoing forcefully and orally to Gimo stating that you are doing so under instrs from your Govt. Martin22 shld accompany you prepared either to translate himself or to check accuracy of Chi translator but in preparing his informal translation he shld not use Chi members ConGen staff. You shld leave aide-mémoire in English quoting foregoing statement.
Dept also desires that subsequent to informing Gimo you apprise Chen Cheng and Sun Li-jen of action which you have taken and nature of views expressed, providing opportunity can be found to do this casually and informally.
For ur info Dept instructing Strong Chungking to inform Li Tsung-jen of foregoing US views and of fact that these views being conveyed to Gimo. This action in response to request from Li for info re [Page 403] US policy Taiwan reported in Chungking Cantel 1221 Oct 23, which being rptd you separately.
You shld keep Moyer informed of action being taken pursuant this instr impressing upon him Top Secret nature of matter.