Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, China, Volume II

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

Washington, February 2, 1955—7:35 p.m.

433. Reurtel 511.² You are instructed to seek audience with Generalissimo and reiterate that our 421³ states definitive US position as approved by President on matters therein covered. Specifically would add following comments re questions raised.

1. Continuance in effect of Congressional Resolution not related to ratification of Defense Treaty. It continues until President shall determine that peace and security of area is reasonably assured by international conditions created by action of the UN or otherwise and shall so report to Congress.

2. In paragraph 3 Deptel 421 phrases “under present circumstances” and “at this time” reflect necessity under resolution that President retain full discretion regarding actions with respect to related areas so that he may act promptly as situations develop. US intentions firm as to situation under present conditions.

3. US position regarding any reference to Quemoy or Matsu in Chinese public statement remains as stated in Deptel 421. Accordingly, you were quite right in not encouraging any hope for US approval of such reference. Yeh and Koo who raised same point night of 31st⁴ have since been told we cannot concur in proposed insertion and reasons therefor.

4. You should expressly confirm to President Chiang that British have been apprised of our position as to offshore islands and they understand it fully.

5. Prompt indication re Chinese Government intentions as to withdrawal from Tachens seems to us essential. Further delay risks withdrawal in face Communist attack, which would make difficult to present evacuation as voluntary redeployment for strategic purpose of strengthening defenses of Formosa. Moreover, US Navy cannot continue indefinitely to keep the forces now deployed in the area on an around-the-clock alert basis in their present positions, state of deployment and alert.⁵

Hoover

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 293.9322/2–255. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Bowie, Phleger, and McConaughy. Notations in Hoover’s handwriting on a draft copy state that he approved and that he read paragraph 5 over the telephone to Admiral Radford, who concurred. (Ibid., ROC Files: Lot 71 D 517, 1954–1955, Offshore Islands)
2. Document 72.
3. Document 69.
4. See Document 70.
5. Telegram 521 from Taipei, February 3, reported that Rankin requested an interview with President Chiang on an urgent basis but learned that Chiang would not be able to see him until the next day. (Department of State, Central Files, 293.9322/2–355)