94. Editorial Note
Secretary Dulles and President Eisenhower discussed the Taiwan Strait situation during a telephone conversation at 8 a.m. on September 16, 1958. Notes of the conversation by Carolyn J. Proctor (a member of Dulles’ staff) read in part as follows:
“The Pres then mentioned an idea of Capt. Aurand’s which he thought pretty good—in searching for an idea to appeal to Chiang who is holding these islands in the hope of some day reoccupying the mainland, suppose we said that we would make him really mobile, and out of our [Page 197] stocks give him amphibious ships and some reconditioned destroyers; this would give him activity, training duties, and would make him more mobile than the holding of those two islands. Sec said he wanted parachute training. Pres. said we could do all that training for less than keeping a reinforced 7th fleet there. Pres. said he argues that he must remain mobile to take advantage of any change to reoccupy the mainland; the amphibious boats would make him really mobile. Sec said there are other reasons for his wanting to hold the islands—they are all that are left of what was China and he hates to give up anything. Sec said he wished we had somebody out there of a really high calibre—perhaps we could send Bob Murphy. Pres. said we have to do something; we have to sell someone something or we shall be accused of desertion of ally or bringing war, neither of which is acceptable.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations)