Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI

794.00/7–1050

The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Taipei, July 10, 1950—noon.

34. For Department use only. No distribution. Call on Generalissimo July 8 was pleasant, lasting 75 minutes. Present also were Mme. Chiang, Admiral Kwei and Ho Shih-li. Shen Chang-huang interpreted.

Generalissimo showed real pleasure at Admiral Struble’s presence in Formosa¹ and in my call. Was interested in Korean developments and in strength of Seventh Fleet in Formosa area.

Discussed briefly question of liaison and stated had ordered Chou Chih-jou and Chinese Navy and CAF give full cooperation (which Chou and Kwei have done). Brought up question of reconnaissance of Chinese Communist coastal areas and was assured by Admiral Struble that such reconnaissance essential to defense and not objected to. Generalissimo warned against surprise air attack on US vessels and predicted that Communists still intended attack, and would have to do so within next 40 days, attack probably at earlier date within this period rather than later; disagree with Admiral Cooke² who believed Communists abandoned invasion plans; Communist preparations for attack completed; Chinese Communists would attack even though they knew they could not win. Nationalists had suffered many defeats in past but learned many lessons.

Admiral Struble indicated need and desire return Formosa near future in order firm up liaison details. Generalissimo recalled that he took over Formosa as Allied Commander of Chinese theater pending peace treaty while General MacArthur took over Japan and other areas as SCAP; now Chinese government was here, but he hoped despite this fact Struble would not feel he coming to foreign territory in visiting Formosa. He stated he has special regard for and real friendship with each US naval commander in Far East; admired Navy particularly because they always willing come to help of friends in need.

Call of 40 minutes on Chen Cheng passed in exchange of pleasantries only.

Struble declared in private that General MacArthur wishes visit Formosa himself but unable take time. Also said had determined could not help Nationalists defend islands off mainland coast,³ but could not place obstacles in way of Nationalists short of directive against Nationalist operations against mainland. Hoped to establish general zones of responsibility relative to Formosa, giving Nationalists prime responsibility for sea area close around island while assuming main role himself in bulk of waters between Formosa and mainland.

Struble spent night with Admiral Cooke, who also took him to conference with Admiral Kwei this morning.

Strong

1. Vice Adm. Arthur D. Struble was Commander of the United States Seventh Fleet.
2. Adm. Charles M. Cooke, U.S. Navy (ret.), former Commander of the Seventh Fleet, was in Formosa in a private capacity; see footnote 4 to telegram 181, August 3, from Taipei, p. 413.
3. In his telegram C–57148, July 3, to the Department of the Army, not printed, General MacArthur recommended that the area of United States protection include the Pescadores, but not the offshore islands.