Office of the Historian

794A.00/11–1650

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Eric Stein of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs

secret
[Washington,] November 16, 1950.

Subject: Formosa

Participants: Mr. Dulles
Mr. Hickerson
Mr. Rusk
Mr. Allison
Mr. Clubb
Mr. Henkin
Mr. Stein

Mr. Dulles stated that in the light of the attitude taken by the United States Delegation to the General Assembly in yesterday’s meeting there appeared to be two possible courses of action on the agenda item, “The Question of Formosa”. First, we could let this item peter out in this Assembly and not ask for any action, and second, we could abandon the subtle attitude of not stating our views as to the ultimate disposition of Formosa and state frankly several basic principles which we would consider as appropriate framework for a plan for the solution of the Formosa question.

[Page 575]

These principles are:

  • 1—The United States, as a principal victor of the war in the Pacific and as the sole occupying power of Japan has great responsibility in the disposition of Formosa;
  • 2—With the exception of the relatively brief period of Japanese domination, Formosa has been part of China for centuries. The history of the island and the ethnic characteristics of the population call for ultimate restoration of sovereignty over the island to China.
  • 3—The restoration of sovereignty can not take place as long as the possibility exists that Formosa may become a base for a new aggression in the Pacific and the object of a bloody civil struggle.
  • 4—The people of Formosa must be given an adequate measure of autonomy and self-government under the sovereignty of China; the relations between Formosa and China must ultimately be based on the consent of the people of Formosa and China.
  • 5—In view of the complementary nature of the Formosan and Japanese economies a long term arrangement should be made insuring a continuation of close trade relations between Formosa and Japan.
  • 6—Formosa should be demilitarized.

The question of Formosa should be made the subject of an inquiry by the General Assembly, not as an immediate problem of maintaining international peace and security but on the same long term basis as the United Nations consideration of the disposition of former Italian colonies. We should further declare, Mr. Dulles continued, that the above principles may not be perfect but, that in our view they provide an adequate framework for a General Assembly inquiry. These principles could either be incorporated in the resolution providing for such inquiry or expressed in our statement introducing the resolution. Under the resolution the Assembly would appoint a commission which would carry out the inquiry. Half of the members of the commission would be selected from among the Japanese treaty powers and the other half from among other members of the United Nations, such as Sweden and Belgium. The commission would study how, when and under what conditions the above principles could be put into effect.

Mr. Dulles suggested that any new draft resolution should not contain a recommendation that there should be no use of force pending an inquiry by the commission; the Defense Department people believe, Mr. Dulles said, that this recommendation would work in favor of the Chinese Communists: they would assume that we shall abide by the recommendation and not permit an attack from Formosa on the mainland pending the study, which would leave them free to shift their troops from the invasion coast to Manchuria and then return them to the invasion coast if and when they decided to invade Formosa in disregard of the recommendation.

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Mr. Rusk pointed out with respect to the 5th [6th?] principle mentioned by Mr. Dulles that a neutralization of the island, with some Formosan armed forces on the island for at least nuisance value against an invasion, might be better than a complete demilitarization which would invite invasion.

Mr. Hickerson thought that it is important for a commission to be appointed and that in any terms of reference for the inquiry a possibility shoud be left open for independence or United Nations trusteeship over Formosa.

Mr. Rusk stated that Mr. Dulles’ views are of great interest and will be further explored.