793.5/11–2354: Telegram
No. 401
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the
Republic of China
304. Eyes only Rankin. Your 351.1 Draft exchange of notes orally agreed to by both sides at last meeting November 19 reads as follows:
“The Republic of China effectively controls both the territory described in Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Defense between the Republic of China and the United States of America signed on ———at——— and other territory. It possesses with respect to all territory now and hereafter under its control the inherent right of self-defense. In view of the obligations of the two Parties under the said Treaty and of the fact that the use of force from either of these areas by either of the Parties affects the other, it is agreed that such use of force will be a matter of joint agreement, subject to action of an emergency character which is clearly an exercise of the inherent right of self-defense. Military elements which are a product of joint effort and contribution by the two Parties will not be removed from the territories described in Article VI to a degree [Page 927] which would substantially diminish the defensibility of such territories without mutual agreement.”
You will note amendment final sentence. This language considered preferable to that suggested reftel.
Chinese recognize present draft note preserves reciprocity throughout. It closely identifies interests of US with those of ROC and in our view should cause Chinese Government to welcome publicity.
Full text of treaty being sent separately.