Office of the Historian

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

Washington, February 3, 1955—4:26 p.m.

434. Following U.S. statement, slightly revised since our 432,2 has been approved by President.3 It is planned for issuance immediately after Chinese Government makes public announcement satisfactory to us as to redeployment its military forces from Tachens. You should transmit this statement immediately to Chinese Government for its private information.

Chinese statement drafted by Yeh, our 418,4 with revision mentioned therein would be satisfactory to U.S. If different statement contemplated by Chinese Government we would expect have opportunity to pass on its acceptability before agreeing to proceed.

Begin statement

“The Government of the Republic of China has announced that it will redeploy its military forces from the Tachens, a group of small islands 200 miles north of Formosa, to other positions. It has requested [Page 204] the aid of United States forces in protecting and assisting the redeployment of these military forces and the evacuation of such civilians as desire to leave those islands. The United States Government has given orders to the Seventh Fleet and other United States forces to assist in this operation.

The United States Government has further advised the Chinese Government that with the object of securing and protecting Formosa in consonance with the Congressional resolution approved January 29, 1955, the United States Government will extend assistance to the Republic of China in defending such related positions and territories now in its hands as the United States deems to be essential to the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores.

It is hoped that these steps will contribute to a cessation of communist attacks and to the restoration of peace and security in the West Pacific.”

End statement.

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 293.9322/2–355. Top Secret; Niact; Limited Distribution. Drafted by McConaughy and approved by Robertson.↩
  2. Telegram 432 to Taipei, February 2, transmitted for Rankin’s information the text of a draft U.S. statement, not yet submitted to the President for approval. (Ibid., 793.5/2–255)↩
  3. A copy of the statement, with revisions indicated, bears the notation in Hoover’s handwriting, “approved, with changes by the President, February 3, 1955, 9:45 a.m.” The revisions were in the first sentence, which had previously concluded with a clause reading “which will have the effect of strengthening the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores”, and in the second paragraph, which had previously read in part: “defending related positions and territories now in its hands which the United States deems…”. (Ibid., ROC Files: Lot 71 D 517, 1954–1955, Offshore Islands)↩
  4. Document 62.↩