611.94A/11–950: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Rankin) to the Secretary of State
634. Eyes alone Rusk from Rankin. Highly critical situation resulting from Chinese Communist aggression in Korea makes more urgent than ever that Embassy and its armed services’ attachés be fully and currently informed of US policies and specific intentions re selected military assistance to Chinese Government. This question raised periodically (for example mytels 273, August 18, 492, October 9, 532, October 19 and 542, October 20)1 but information available here to date limited to that contained Deptel 346, October 182 and recent report through Navy channels that some radar equipment probably would be supplied.
Embassy’s senior military attaché Admiral Jarrett was given general responsibility for liaison with the Seventh Fleet (in original orders and again August 17) and for military aid (MDAP to NRC) at this end (October 27). To handle latter effectively, I consider essential Jarrett be supplied immediately with details of “MacArthur’s request of August 16” (Deptel 346) and copies of all reports prepared by FEC survey group and transmitted by SCAP to Defense Department [Page 553] or JCS; also that he be kept currently informed of action being taken this connection in order he may make suggestions in light of rapidly evolving situation as well as keep Chinese armed forces advised to extent necessary or desirable.
Assume it generally appreciated in State and Defense Departments that Formosa holds largest body of anti-Communist military forces in Far East which second in total effectiveness only to UN forces now in Korea. Moreover quality being constantly improved by training which General Sun Li-jen claims already has made one of his men worth two Communist soldiers. While we all hope general hostilities may be avoided it would be inexcusable if lack of inter-agency coordination in Washington resulted in Chinese armed forces not having been provided with their most urgent and comparatively modest requirements prior to possible crisis involving need for these forces on Formosa or elsewhere.