110.15 RO/10–854: Telegram
No. 330
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the
Republic of China
priority
218. Eyes only for Rankin. Tentative arrangements made for Robertson, accompanied by McConaughy, fly Taipei next week discuss with President Chiang subject mentioned your 244.1 Classified Air Force flight would arrive Taipei 12th and leave 14th. Confirm priority that he will be in Taipei and available during that time.2
Trip being arranged at request Secretary who believes in view great importance and highly sensitive nature of subject one of his [Page 715] close associates who is fully conversant with his thinking on matter should present it to Generalissimo. No Chinese official has been informed of projected trip. You are requested treat proposed visit as most highly classified. Neither Generalissimo nor anyone else should be informed subject matter proposed conversations.
Robertson and McConaughy will of course have their diplomatic passports but will not have Chinese visas. ETA will be telegraphed later.
- Document 320.↩
- Rankin confirmed this in telegram 261 from Taipei, Oct. 9. (110.15 RO/10–954)↩