Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 118: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

confidential
operational immediate
Tokyo, 4 October 1951—2:47 p. m.

C–52190. Request clearance of or comment on substantially the following statement contemplated for inclusion in an appropriate public statement at some early date:

“In their own selfish pursuit of power, the Chinese Communist leaders are either treasonably overriding the real interests of the Chinese people, or are monumentally stupid in their failure to perceive inevitable Russian encroachments, already far advanced in Sinkiang, Mongolia and above all in Manchuria, upon the territorial heritage of the Chinese people.”

Purpose is to continue at every opportunity efforts at splitting Red China from Russia.1

  1. Attached to the source text was a note by U. Alexis Johnson, dated October 4, indicating that he had informed Col. Charles H. Ott of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G–2) that the Department of State felt Ridgway’s idea to be a poor one and that the considerations set forth in telegram JCS 95862, July 19, were still largely valid.

    On October 5, the Joint Chiefs of Staff sent the following message to General Ridgway in telegram JCS 83355:

    “From JCS.

    “In general, substance of statement proposed ur C 52190 appears to be in line with United ‘States policy. However, issuance of such a broad, political statement by a mil cdr is, under present circumstances, deemed inappropriate. Therefore, JCS do not concur in issuance of statement.” (Black Book, Tab 119)

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