611.93/10–1454
No. 341
Memorandum by the Counselor
(MacArthur) to the Acting
Secretary of State1
In our conversation at Duck Island, the Secretary mentioned that he had been reflecting on our policy with respect to the Chinese Nationalists. As long as the Korean war was in progress and indeed as long as there was a possibility of our becoming involved in the Indochina hostilities, our policy with respect to Formosa as a threat against the flank of Communist China made good sense as did the concept of having Formosa a point from which harassments against the mainland could be conducted.
However, with the end of hostilities in Korea and Indochina we do not have the same valid basis for preserving for Formosa the concept of a “privileged sanctuary” from which one-way operations against the mainland could be conducted. Therefore, the idea of a defensive security pact is fully in keeping with the altered circumstances in the area.
I believe he will discuss this further with you upon his return.
- Also sent to Robertson and Bowie.↩