Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, China, Volume XIX

77. Telegram From the Embassy in the Republic of China to the Department of State⁰

Taipei, September 10, 1958, 5 p.m.

352. CINCPAC for POLAD. CINCPAC for Admiral Felt. POLAD for Steeves. Reference: Deptel 203.¹

1. President Chiang is at one of his country retreats mulling over situation and is therefore unavailable for next day or two.

2. I discussed all but last paragraph of ref tel with George Yeh who came to see me this morning before leaving for Washington where he is due September 12. Since Yeh was seeing Generalissimo for last time this morning, I asked him to discuss this matter in general way with Generalissimo. Yeh said he would do so.

3. I went to see Foreign Minister later today and gave him substance of message with request he pass it to Generalissimo when convenient. He said he would do so.

4. Foreign Minister said GRC is cognizant of considerations advanced in Deptel and is exercising greatest restraint in face of Commie provocations. He accordingly asked my views as to motives behind Deptel. I said that apart from manifest desirability of exercising highest degree of restraint at this critical juncture, I supposed message may have had some reference to a few examples of lack of GRC–US cooperation recently in military operational field. I said I Felt this problem is being tackled vigorously by Admiral Smoot and Tiger Wang.

5. George Yeh intimated to me this morning that Generalissimo is restive over our taxing him so persistently with injunctions to observe treaty, exchange of notes, restraint, etc. According to Yeh, Generalissimo feels his honor is being impugned and his prestige lowered among his own officials and public. Yeh therefore suggested that the problem be handled most carefully.

6. Short of a nuclear debacle at Kinmen and provided public opinion can be kept under control, I am convinced Generalissimo will live up to his word to practice utmost restraint. I say this in face of fact that some of his subordinate officers have not wholly practiced same degree of restraint at times and they have failed at times to coordinate with TDC. But I think this situation is improving and is capable of being brought under full control.

7. I suggested to Admiral Smoot this morning that he discuss reftel with Tiger Wang and Defense Minister Yu. I also suggested that next time Admiral sees Generalissimo on military operation matters, he mention substance of reference telegram casually if he could relate it to context of his discussions.

8. I believe foregoing action will be adequate for our purposes now. I believe it would be inadvisable for me to see Generalissimo specifically about matter, and I propose to refrain from doing so unless instructed to contrary.

Drumright

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793.00/9–1058. Top Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated priority to CINCPAC.
1. Telegram 203 to Taipei, September 8, instructed Drumright that he and Smoot should discuss with Chiang the importance of “continuing close US–GRC coordination in advance of all operational actions as befits our firm and friendly alliance.” (Ibid., 793.00/9–858) A similar message was sent to Smoot in CNO telegram 082325Z, September 8. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 218, JCS Records, 381 Formosa (11–8–48), Section 38A) These documents are in the Supplement.