Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, China and Japan, Volume XIV, Part 1

794A.00/5–2352

No. 38
The Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Allison) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Foster)

top secret

Washington, July 23, 1952.

My Dear Mr. Foster: The American Embassy at Taipei recommended in May 1952¹ that there be established on Formosa a “combined United States–Chinese operations friendly plane control organization for Formosan straits.” That recommendation followed a request received by the Embassy from the Chinese Foreign Minister for closer liaison between the United States Seventh Fleet and the Chinese Ministry of National Defense. After considering the views of Minister Rankin, CINCPAC and MAAG Formosa, the Department of the Navy prepared a draft directive (Tab 1)² to MAAG Formosa and informally requested the concurrence of State in that new directive. Subsequently, the Department of State suggested that paragraph 1d of the proposed new directive³ be amended to conform with language used in NSC 124/2;⁴ informally, the Department of the Navy indicated its acceptance of the proposed amendment.

This letter confirms the concurrence of the Department of State in the proposed new directive to MAAG Formosa as amended (Tab 2), with the understanding that:

1. The Departments of the Navy, Army and Air Force, and the Office of Military Assistance concur;

2. The directive does not authorize any disclosure of United States plans to, or discussion of United States plans with, the Government of China, with reference to possible use of Chinese National forces in the event of Chinese Communist aggression in Southeast Asia.

I understand that the Office of Military Assistance proposes the addition of a third paragraph to the proposed directive, stipulating that paragraphs 1 and 2 of the amended directive are not intended to alter or subordinate the primary MAAG mission as outlined in existing terms of reference. The Department of State would support the addition of such a third paragraph.⁵

Sincerely yours,

John M. Allison

Enclosure (2)

Draft Telegram, Prepared in the Department of State

From: Commander in Chief, Pacific

To: Chief Military Assistance Advisory Group, Formosa

Subject:

• Mission Directive.

1. In furtherance of the discharge of the responsibility of the Commander in Chief, Pacific for the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores, you will carry out the following missions:

a. Provide coordination, as requested by CINCPACFLT or his designated commander, between the National Government Republic of China (NGRC) and U.S. naval and air forces conducting operations in the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores.

b. Upon request of CINCPACFLT, or his designated commander, assist and advise him regarding plans involving operations in which U.S. and NGRC forces are coordinated for purposes of defense.

c. As directed by CINCPAC advise NGRC on army, naval and air matters concerning the preparation and development of organization, operations, and overall strategic plans for the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores. In discharging this mission, the disclosure of any elements of U.S. plans to the NGRC will be as directed by CINCPAC. Any advice furnished will be only upon request by the NGRC and will be given in such a way that it will not commit the United States to any future course of action.

d. Assist CINCPAC in the development of plans for the utilization, as desirable and feasible, of NGRC forces in military operations in Southeast Asia, Korea, or China proper, in the event of Chinese Communist aggression in Indochina, Burma or Thailand.

2. You will keep Commander in Chief, Pacific fully informed on all matters of strategic importance affecting the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores.

1. See telegram 1473 from Taipei, Document 27.
2. Not printed.
3. Paragraph 1.d. of the draft directive under reference reads as follows: “Assist CINCPAC in the development of plans for the participation offensively of NGRC forces in the event of Chinese Communist aggression outside Korea.”
4. Regarding NSC 124/2, see footnote 6, Document 17.
5. The directive, sent to the Chief, MAAG Formosa in telegram 200336Z from CINCPAC, Oct. 19 (with an omission corrected by telegram 292229Z, Oct. 29), was identical to Enclosure 2 to Allison’s letter, with the addition of a third numbered paragraph which reads as follows: “The above is not intended to alter or to subordinate your primary mission as outlined in your terms of reference (ISAC D–8/2A, 26 April 52 [51])” A supplementary directive, sent to the Chief, MAAG Formosa in telegram 200500Z from CINCPACFLT, Oct. 19/20, 1952, directed the latter to establish and assume command of a Formosa Liaison Center, which was to perform functions of liaison and coordination under the direction of the Commander, Seventh Fleet. Chase reported in telegram 270724Z (MG 8450) to CINCPACFLT, Oct. 27, that, pursuant to this directive, he had established and assumed command of the Formosa Liaison Center and Task Force 74. (All telegrams cited above in JCS records, 381 Formosa (11–8–48) Sec. 9) ISAC D–8/2a, April 26, 1951, is summarized in telegram 1145 to Taipei, April 25, 1951, the text of which is printed in Foreign Relations, 1951, vol. vii, Part 2, p. 1648.