Office of the Historian

195. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China0

Washington, October 20, 1958, 1:40 p.m.

369. Your 633.1 On October 6 Department questioned CNO’s office on advisability and necessity using LSD during cease-fire period.2 Department informed LSD essential in delivering small landing craft needed in resupply especially of Tan islands. Department was assured that LSD would proceed without US escort to point about 15 miles offshore whence landing craft would swim ashore. LSD also to be used for landing craft pickup.

In view subsequent US convoy escort suspension announcement October 8,3 would appreciate full explanation relating your comment on item one reftel.4

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793.00/10–2058. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution; No Distribution Outside Department. Drafted by Green, cleared by Parsons and Martin, and approved by Herter.↩
  2. See footnote 1, Document 194.↩
  3. The conversation was recorded in a memorandum of October 7 from Green to Parsons. (Department of State, FE Files: Lot 63 D 76, Memoranda)↩
  4. Cited in footnote 2, Document 165.↩
  5. Drumright replied in telegram 642 from Taipei, October 21. (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5411/10–2158; see Supplement)↩