794A. 5/6–2950: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State
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no distribution
[Received June 28—9:39 p. m.]
1000. Mytel 991, June 28 [27].1 Following is FonOff translation of reply handed me by Foreign Minister Yeh 10 p. m. June 28:
[Here follows the Chinese note expressing agreement in principle with the content of the American aide-mémoire of June 27 (see telegram Telcan 39, June 27, 1 a. m., to Taipei, page 188) and stating that, as requested, orders had been issued to suspend air and sea operations against the mainland or against shipping in Chinese waters or on the high seas.
The note continues on to point out that the Chinese Government was at present maintaining positions in Lintin and the Lema Islands off Canton, in the Island of Kinmen off Amoy, in the Island of Matsu off Foochow, and in the Tachen Islands off Chekiang Province, which positions, along with the Pescadores, formed part of the defense of Taiwan. The forces on these islands came under constant Communist attack, and the Chinese Government wished to know if orders to the U.S. Seventh Fleet took into consideration prevention of attacks against these islands. For purposes of coordination, the Chinese Government asked for direct consultations with the U.S. Government on these matters.
The note concludes by stating that the present emergency measures should in no way affect the position of the Chinese Government in the exercise of its authority over Taiwan, its stand against international Communist aggression, and its determination to maintain China’s territorial integrity.]
Comment follows separate message. Yeh stated Generalissimo wanted message transmitted to President Truman soonest with his “best regards and respects”.2
- Received on June 27 at 9:43 a. m., p. 198.↩
- For further documentation relating to China, see vol. vi, pp. 256 ff.↩