Office of the Historian

250. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China1

Washington, May 18, 1955—3:50 p.m.

686. Department concurs position adopted by you and Admiral Stump as reported your 803.2

In absence actual employment new Fukien airfields in attacks on GRC territory, bombing of fields could not be considered “action of emergency character which clearly exercise of inherent right self-defense” (exchange of notes December 10), but would constitute use of force requiring joint agreement. US would consider bombing new Fukien airfields under such circumstances without prior US agreement as violating understanding contained December 10 exchange of notes.

As stressed in Robertson–Radford April 1955 conversations with President Chiang Taipei President Eisenhower considers it is of utmost importance maintain onus for hostilities in off-shore island area on Chinese Communists. President Chiang assured Robertson and Radford he would respect Mutual Defense Treaty obligations and would not attack Mainland installations without US consent. Any GRC offensive action which is not clear-cut retaliation for Chinese Communist attack would greatly complicate issue in US and abroad. Hostile intent Communist China against off-shore islands and Taiwan was indicated at time exchange of notes took place but was not and is not considered adequate basis for offensive action by GRC in absence prior attack by Chinese Communists. Improvement of Chinese Communists capabilities resulting from making new [Page 566] Fukien airfields operational likewise not considered adequate basis of itself for GRC initiate offensive action. On same basis Chinese Communists could claim increase GRC air and naval capabilities warranted their initiation offensive action.

You should convey foregoing views to President Chiang at early opportunity.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793.5/5–1155. Top Secret. Approved and signed personally by Dulles, drafted in CA with revisions by Robertson, and cleared by Murphy and Phleger and with the Department of Defense. Repeated for information to CINCPAC.↩
  2. Document 247.↩