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

161. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the President¹

Seoul, March 17, 1956—6 p.m.

Dulte 35. Eyes only Acting Secretary From Secretary for President.

Dear Mr. President: I spent a day at Taiwan which was relatively uneventful. During the afternoon I gave President Chiang Kai-Shek a round-up of my trip so far, and he seemed reassured that the effect of the trip was to stiff en resistance to Communism in the area.

In the evening Chiang presented his views about present Communist tactics and suggested a policy of concerted pressure by the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Vietnam to “unify” their countries, possibly by “local wars”, where the United States would supply the logistics but not engage in the fighting.

He was somewhat vague but said he would give me a memorandum further developing this idea which I gather is more theoretical than practical.

I reported on our talks with Eden, and Chiang expressed great gratification at your attitude.

Of most significance perhaps was the fact that he did not mention the subject of the offshore islands or our attitude toward their defense. I also did not bring up the subject after having first checked with Rankin that the President fully understands that we have no commitments to him in this regard but would be guided wholly by the circumstances of the moment assuming attack occurs.

From my talks with the US Country Team I think there is a somewhat excessive tendency on the part of the Chinats to aggravate the situation by minor plane and artillery initiatives, and I think we should try to bring this under closer control. I did not find any feeling that an all-out Chicom assault was likely in the early future, and on the whole I found Chiang more relaxed than when I saw him last year.

I received at Taipei your kind message of March 15.² I can appreciate the anxiety caused by Middle East and North African complications, and regret that I am not in Washington to share them, but I shall be back very soon.

Faithfully yours, Foster.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–DU/3–1756. Secret; Priority.
2. Tedul 44 to Taipei, March 15, conveyed a personal message to Dulles from Eisenhower. The President expressed appreciation for the Secretary’s efforts to keep him informed and indicated that Middle Eastern and North African problems were occupying the Administration and awaited the Secretary’s return. (Ibid., 110.11–DU/3–1556)