Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

790B.00/2–1652: Telegram

No. 12
The Chargé in the Republic of China (Rankin) to the Department of State¹

top secret

Taipei, February 16, 1952—10 a.m.

1033. Heath’s tel 1541, Feb 4 favoring support to anti-Commie guerrillas has my full concurrence.

In above connection I wish point out once more the common error of assuming we might thus “provoke” Commies to aggressive action they wld not otherwise undertake. This error, fostered by Commie propaganda simply plays into enemy hands by delaying or preventing effective US action while they perfect arrangements for next aggression.

It is also pertinent to ask which country has accomplished more in increasing military effectiveness of its Asian allies during past two years: US or USSR.

Rankin

1. Repeated to Saigon.