Editorial Note
On January 5, President Truman issued a statement regarding United States policy toward Formosa; for the text, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1950, page 11. The President reiterated American support for the Cairo Declaration of December 1, 1943, which had proposed restoration of Formosa to the Republic of China. He indicated that the United States had no desire to establish military bases on Formosa at the present time and would not provide military aid or advice to the Chinese forces on Formosa, although economic aid would continue. In addition, he said that the United States Government would not pursue a course which would lead to involvement in the civil conflict in China.
Secretary of State Acheson, on the afternoon of January 5, held a news conference at which he provided background and elaboration on the President’s statement; for the text of Mr. Acheson’s remarks, see Department of State Bulletin, January 16, 1950, page 79.