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

794A.5/6–2850: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in China

top secret   niact

Washington, July 22, 1950—5 p. m.

61. For Strong reurtel 1000 June 28¹ regarding application President’s declaration June 27 to offshore islands held by Nats pls convey FonMin fol interpretation:

“The US Govt wld not participate in the defense of islands now under Chi Govt control, other than Taiwan and the Pescadores, in the event of a Commie attack. The US Govt wld not, however, stand in the way of Chi Govt support of defensive operations on or from these islands.”

For ur info: Ruling in accord with President’s statement. Present démarche designed answer FonMin’s question re point and remove any implication whatsoever that US forces in vicinity cld be involved in defense those islands.

Any questions regarding practical application this directive shld be taken up through military liaison channels.

Acheson

1. For text of this message, see vol. vii, p. 226.