Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 40: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
flash
G 670–TAC KCG. Personal for Gen Hickey.2 This msg in 3 parts.
Part 1. I have been considering the advisability of making a public statement on a proper occasion. The primary purpose would be a continuation of efforts of [to] accomplish the approved United States Government objective of detaching Communist China as an effective ally of the USSR.
The draft of my proposed statement appears in part 2 herein. The statement itself is intended to have been derived from settled United States Govt policy, which desires the political and territorial integrity of China, which has not slightest desire for acquisition of any Chinese territory, and which is based upon the historical record of loyal friendship by the American people for the Chinese people.
Part 2. Draft statement fols:
“At the historic moment in which the opposing military forces in Korea are commencing discussions of a possible armistice, it is timely, I believe, to express the hope that a mutually acceptable agreement may be reached on the military terms for terminating the armed conflict in Korea.
“In the long series of Communist acts which have brought dissension, disaster, and death to the world, there has been none more tragic than the conflict which has set Chinese and American soldiers against each other.
“With its compelling fear of the truth, Communist imperialism has sought repeatedly to obscure the long and loyal record of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. To fabricate a pretext for [Page 638] sacrificing Chinese soldiers as instruments of their aggression in Korea, the Communists have tried to convince the Chinese people that the United States planned an invasion of Chinese territory. The enormity of this falsehood is exceeded only by the sinister significance of the objective it was designed to cloak.
“While Chinese soldiers by the hundreds of thousand suffered, fought, and died on foreign battlefields in a futile, and imaginary cause, alien Communist imperialism has secretly pursued its inexorable encroachment upon Chinese territory. Mongolia is gone. Manchuria and Sinkiang are next. The preoccupation of China’s Armies in a costly foreign war has made it immeasurably easier for this alien imperialism to strengthen its deadly grip on vast areas of China. Its influence, following the unchanging pattern of more than a century, now shamelessly moves to degrade China’s historic culture and destroy its traditional way of life. The principles on which Chinese civilization has rested for generations have now been placed in grave jeopardy by the encroachment of Soviet imperialism which cynically pretends friendship and falsely promises assistance.
“The Chinese people, whose ancient and honorable history has long since made clear to them the true source of danger, will not however be easily led to forget and abandon the traditional warm friendship of the American people.
“Throughout modern times, the United States has been the most vigorous and unfailing champion of Chinese sovereignty and independence. The preservation of the Chinese nation and the integrity of its territory and people are cardinal and cherished principles of American policy. The present Communist degradation of Chinese sovereignty confronts China with the gravest danger in its long and epic history. In my own opinion, I am confident that the Chinese people, in their inherent wisdom, recognize this threat despite the efforts of Communist imperialism to camouflage it through campaigns of studied hatred against China’s traditional friends.”
Part 3. The Armistice negotiations now beginning and in which I am not initially participating personally, will offer, in my opinion, favorable opportunities for the release of a statement of this kind.
However, it so closely relates to foreign policy that even though the policy to which I have directly connected it has Presidential approval, I feel it would be preferable for this to have official sanction before release.
Ur comments are requested soonest, as opportunity for its use may arise any day.
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The source text indicated that this message was sent from the Commanding General, U.S. Eighth Army, Van Fleet, and signed by General Ridgway who was then in Korea. At this time, a tent headquarters had been set up at Munsanni for the United Nations Command negotiators (see Hermes, Truce Tent and Fighting Front, pp. 19–20).
Due to the time difference between Korea and Washington, this message was received in time for the reply to be sent out by mid-afternoon of July 9, Washington time; see infra.
↩ - Lt. Gen. Doyle O. Hickey was Chief of Staff for the three commands held by General Ridgway: the United Nations Command (UNC); the Far East Command (FEC); and Supreme Command, Allied Powers, Japan (SCAP); see Hermes, Truce Tent and Fighting Front, p. 58. This message had been sent for information to Headquarters, Far East Command, in Toyko, as were the other messages from Ridgway in Korea.↩