894A.20/11–649: Telegram
The Consul General at Taipei (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 6—2:04 a. m.]
664. Saw K. C. Wu yesterday who is very interested in Department’s message to Generalissimo (reference Deptel 412, October 28). According to Wu, after my visit to Generalissimo at 11 a. m. November 3, he immediately called special meeting all members his headquarters for 4 p. m. that day to study aide-mémoire I left him and meeting lasted late into night. In reply to my question regarding how Generalissimo received message, Wu said he was very pleased and stated to members his headquarters that US now willing to deal with him again and that he had not been completely deserted by his old friend and ally. At end of meeting, Wu claims he told Generalissimo [Page 412] this was his last chance as far as the US is concerned and to agree to any terms that might be forthcoming. Generalissimo left November 4 for secluded mountain resort in Mt. Voleoi to ponder over message and will return tonight. Generalissimo hopes have reply ready November 7 or 8.
Message to Generalissimo has K. C. Wu in highly elated state and he feels opportunity now presented them which they must use to best advantage. Several questions were raised by him similar to those asked in the penultimate paragraph mytel 662.29 Present administration would be willing do most anything we suggest at this time and Wu said Governor Chen offered to resign if such a desire on part of US was indicated in the aide-mémoire I gave Generalissimo. I assured Wu I saw no indication of such a wish in the message and emphasized that US merely indicated that the Chinese administration of the isd should initiate those measures necessary to provide the basis for effective administration and utilization of the resources of Taiwan, I told Wu that my own estimation of Governor Chen had gone up considerably and that I hoped he would carry out the plans as outlined to me by him during our conversation on November 4.
The Department’s message to the Generalissimo has definitely given them the moral support for which they have been asking recently. In addition to giving them moral support, it has interpreted, as the Generalissimo mentioned to the members of his headquarters, that the US Government is willing to deal with him directly again.
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