Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 2

Department of Defense Files: Telegram

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

top secret   priority

Tokyo, 24 February 1951—10:39 a. m.

C 56246. Reference Commander Naval Forces Far East nr 190756Z (information Chief Naval Operations) and Commander in Chief Far East CX 56045 of 21 February.¹ This message in 3 parts.

Part 1. In event of Chinese Communist air or sea attacks against Formosa or the Pescadores will the Chinese Nationalists Government be authorized to retaliate immediately against targets on Chinese Mainland?

Part 2. In the event of Chinese Communist air or sea attacks against Formosa or against United States Forces outside Korea, it is recommended that Commander in Chief Far East be authorized to retaliate immediately against targets on Chinese Mainland.

Part 3. The return of seasonal weather and sea conditions favorable to attacks upon Formosa and the continuing capability of Chinese Communists to mount air attacks outside Korea require early decisions upon the above query and recommendation.

1. Neither printed.