794A.5/8–353
No. 135
The Secretary of
State to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson)
Dear Mr. Secretary: As you are undoubtedly aware, reports from official United States sources on Formosa indicate that a serious threat of Communist attack against the Chinese Nationalist-held Tach’en Islands appears to be developing. In this connection, President Chiang Kai-shek recently transmitted through our Ambassador at Taipei a request that the United States Government make a public announcement that “the United States 7th Fleet is continuing and strengthening its patrols and surveillance of the water surrounding the islands along the Chekiang-Fukien coast which are held by Chinese Government forces”, and that the U.S. Government deliver to the Chinese Government 132 naval craft “as an emergency measure for the defense of the off-shore islands”.
Pursuant to the understanding reached at a JCS-State meeting July 31, our Ambassador at Taipei has been instructed1 to inform the Chinese Government that the United States Government would be unable to make any public announcement concerning the activities of the 7th Fleet at this time. As to the Chinese Government’s request for 132 small naval craft, it is my understanding that the Department of Defense has this matter under consideration but that before a decision can be made the views of MAAG Formosa must be ascertained and the force basis for Formosa must be reviewed by JCS.
The Department of State has noted the JCS view that, although the off-shore islands (including the Ta-Ch’ens) are not essential to the defense of Formosa, their retention by the Chinese Nationalists is highly desirable. This Department is also of the opinion that their loss would deal a severe political and psychological blow to the Chinese Government. I would urge, therefore, that the Department [Page 245] of Defense give high priority to the determination of what naval craft may be made available to the Chinese Government for use in the defense of the off-shore islands, and to the delivery of such vessels when this determination is made.
Sincerely yours,
- In telegram 90 to Taipei, Aug. 6. (793.00/8–653)↩