795.00/6–2750: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
niact
JUNE 27, 1950
(Tuesday)
3124. Advise FonOff urgently of substance of following:
North Korean forces, armed for this purpose by Sov Union with planes and tanks, have invaded ROK and captured capital.2 UNSC has called upon invading troops to cease hostilities and withdraw to 38th parallel. This has not been done but on contrary invasion has been pressed forward. SC has called upon all UN members to render UN every assistance in execution this res. In circumstances President has ordered US air and sea forces to give cover and support to ROK forces.
[Page 187]Attack makes amply clear centrally directed Communist Imperialism3 has passed beyond subversion in seeking conquer independent nations and now resorting to armed aggression and war. It has defied UNSC. In circumstances Communist occupation of Formosa would directly threaten security of Pacific area and US forces performing necessary and legitimate functions that area.
Pres has accordingly ordered Seventh Fleet, which is taking necessary positions, to prevent any attack on Formosa. He is also calling upon Chi Govt in Formosa to cease all sea and air operations against mainland. Fleet will see this is done. Future status of Formosa must await determination in connection with restoration of Pacific security, peace settlement with Japan or possible UN consideration.
Pres has also directed military assistance to Phils be expedited and US forces there strengthened.
Pres has similarly directed military assistance to French and Associated States forces in IndoChina be expedited and US military mission sent to provide close working relations with those forces.
Since return to rule of force would have far-reaching effects all UN members must carefully consider consequences of latest aggression. US rep on SC accordingly advising it of these steps.
Foregoing will be announced at approximately 12 noon E.D.T. June 27.4
- Repeated niact for action to the Embassies in Paris as 3018, Rome as 2288, Oslo as 427, Ottawa as 97, Lisbon as 176, Copenhagen as 357, Brussels as 844, New Delhi as 640, Manila as 1117, Canberra as 124, Wellington as 95, The Hague as 635, and to the Legations in Luxembourg as 65, Reykjavik as 59, and Saigon as 422; and also repeated for information to the Embassy in Moscow as 541.↩
- North Korean troops did not actually seize the center of Seoul until the early afternoon of June 28 (Korean time); see Roy E. Appleman, South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June–November 1950), a volume in the series United States Army in the Korean War (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1961), p. 34.↩
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The British Foreign Office in a message to the British Embassy in Washington suggested the removal of the reference to “centrally directed Communist imperialism”, on the grounds that the Soviet Union should be allowed the opportunity to heat a retreat when confronted with U.S. determination to oppose aggression in Korea. The substance of the message from the Foreign Office was transmitted to the Department of State, and the words in question were not included in the statement as issued on June 27 by President Truman, p. 202. On the following day, British Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin expressed his gratitude for the acceptance of the suggested changes in a message to Mr. Acheson. (611.61/6–2750; 795.00/6–2850).
This suggested omission was the only one specifically mentioned in the British communication, but see also telegram 973, June 29, from New Delhi, received on June 29 at 3:54 p. m., p. 234.
↩ - See the memorandum of conversation by Mr. Jessup of the meeting held at the White House at 11:30 a. m. on June 27, p. 200.↩