Office of the Historian

794A.00/8–350: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald)

top secret
Washington, August 4, 1950—2 p. m.

202. Ref second para urtel 315 Aug 3, I assume you did not fail to remind Gen MacArthur of long-standing efforts Chi Nats to attempt to discredit US Officials mil and civilian maintaining independence viewpoint or faithfully executing US Govt policies unpalatable to Chi. I presume you also mentioned proposed transfer Min Rankin as Chargé d’Affaires to Taipei reflecting in part necessary coordination higher level mil liaison with Nats arising from Mission re Formosa assigned Seventh Fleet by Pres June 27.1

[Page 419]

For urinfo only, Strong reports service attachés at Embassy present only at briefing session and unaware any decisions reached and uninformed substantive content discussions between Gimo and Gen MacArthur.

Acheson
  1. Karl L. Rankin, Consul General at Hong Kong, had already been appointed Chargé d’Affaires ad interim and Minister in Taipei but had not yet arrived to assume his duties. Mr. Strong, as Chargé, held only the rank of First Secretary of the Embassy.↩