793.00/5–2753: Telegram
No. 105
The Chargé in the Republic of
China (Jones) to
the Department of State
secret
Taipei, May 27, 1953—4
p.m.
1226. Foreign Minister handed me today following summary of conversation which President Chiang had with Ambassador Rankin immediately prior to latter’s departure for US and said President would appreciate transmission of his views to Department. I assume Ambassador Rankin has already covered points in discussions in Department.
- “1. The President considers it inadvisable let Winston Churchill go to Moscow alone.1
- 2. To combat communism in Asia, necessary to recognize its main strength is Chinese Communist forces now on Chinese mainland. In other words, to eliminate Chinese Commies on mainland is prerequisite to putting permanent stop to expansion of Soviet imperialism in Asia.
- 3. We in Taiwan prepared to bear brunt of effort by spearheading invasion with our own Ground Forces plus necessary US support. In addition to its standing army Taiwan can raise and train 500,000 combat reserves. This means can have 60 divisions when fully mobilized. Training of reserves, planned three years ago, only started recently owing financial difficulties. If we can get needed economic assistance from US, in two or three years can complete training of such reserves.
- 4. Time running out. If we allow Chinese Commies to stay on mainland for another three years or more, they will have completed their national defense plans and five year economic plan which are synchronized with Soviet Russia’s plans. Vast manpower and natural resources of two countries will by that time have been pooled into single power and will be jointly used. We will then not [Page 198] be able to dislodge Chinese Commies without becoming involved in war with Soviet Russia.”
Jones