794A.00/9–250: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Rankin) to the Secretary of State
339. Foreign Minister Yeh this afternoon handed me memorandum dated September 2 which was drafted as result of Cabinet meeting yesterday. Text of memorandum follows:
[Here follows the quoted text of the memorandum. In it, the Chinese Government referred to its commitment, in response to President Truman’s request to cease air and sea action against the mainland. The Chinese Government assumed that in the event of modification or termination of this arrangement there would be consultation and understanding between it and the United States Government. Should the Seventh Fleet be withdrawn, the Chinese Government felt that the Communists would clearly attack Taiwan and wished to know what steps the United States would then take. The Chinese Government also wanted to call to the attention of the United States Government the fact that suspension of operations against the mainland was allowing the Soviet flow of assistance to increase Communist strength there, while the absence of United States aid to Taiwan was placing the Republic of China in a position of great disadvantage should United States support be withdrawn.]
Yeh said he had no present intention make above memorandum public and would communicate with us in advance in case later decision to do so.