793.5/2–2554
No. 173
Memorandum by the Assistant
Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson) to the
Secretary of State
1
Subject:
- Bilateral Security Pact with China
Discussion
The Government of the Republic of China has proposed the conclusion of a Chinese-United States security pact, and has submitted [Page 368] a draft2 for our consideration. The Chinese draft is substantially similar to the ANZUS, Philippine and Korean pacts. FE favors the Chinese proposal in principle. Such a pact, however, should contain safeguards against involuntary extension of current United States commitments as to the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores.
Conclusion of a security pact with China might be expected to serve the following purposes: (1) improve morale of the Chinese armed forces and officials on Formosa; (2) accord the Chinese Government a similar status in our system of alliances in the Pacific to Japan, Korea, Philippines and the ANZUS countries; (3) offset Chinese misgivings as to the Geneva Conference; (4) make clear to our allies and to the Communists our determination to stand back of the Chinese Government on Formosa; (5) promote the policy objectives set forth in NSC 146/2.
Recommendations
- 1.
- That FE be authorized, in consultation with Defense, to prepare a draft treaty containing appropriate safeguards which may serve as a basis for negotiations with the Chinese.
- 2.
- That the National Security Council be requested to make a decision as to the advisability of concluding a security pact with China at the present time.
- 3.
- That the foregoing recommendations be implemented promptly so that negotiations with the Chinese Government may commence prior to the convening of the Geneva conference.
- Sent through Deputy Under Secretary Robert D. Murphy and initialed by him. A handwritten notation on the source text reads “not seen by the Secretary”; but see the memorandum infra .↩
- See footnote 2, Document 161.↩