794A.00/8–450: Telegram
The Secretary of Defense (Johnson) to the Commander in Chief, Far East (MacArthur)
operational immediate
War 88014. Personal for MacArthur from Secretary of Defense sgd Johnson. Under the President’s decision of June 27, you are to repel any attack upon Formosa and the Pescadores. Likewise, you are to stop attacks from Formosa upon the mainland. No one other than the President as Commander-in-Chief has the authority to order or authorize preventive action against concentrations on the mainland. You should report currently and urgently intelligence regarding such concentrations and make every effort to keep reconnaissance reports current. Your recommendations are desired from time to time to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on appropriate action which you recommend be taken to meet the facts you report. The most vital national interest requires that no action of ours precipitate general war or give excuse to others to do so. This message has the approval of the President and Secretary of State.