Office of the Historian

254. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson) to the Secretary of State1

Washington, May 23, 1955.

SUBJECT

  • Flights Near to Chinese Communist Territory.

At our meeting today with the Joint Chiefs of Staff2 Mr. Murphy raised the question in connection with the last MIG incident3 whether the military advantages of flights near territory held by the Communists are sufficient to offset the political disadvantage of appearing provocative. I specifically questioned whether such flights are consistent with the President’s policies with respect to Communist China.

Admiral Radford replied that he and General Twining had discussed the matter with the President, and the President was acquainted with what was being done.

[Page 570]

You may wish on a suitable occasion to confirm the President’s understanding on this subject.

  1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Meetings with the President. Top Secret; Personal and Private. Filed as an attachment to Document 258.

    Sent via Murphy, who initialed, indicating his approval; a notation on the source text indicates that it was seen by the Secretary.

    ↩
  2. The meeting took place on May 20; a memorandum of the substance of discussion is in Department of State, State–JCS Meetings: Lot 61 D 417.↩
  3. Reference is to an attack on May 10 by PRC planes on U.S. planes under the U.N. Command flying a reconnaissance mission off the Manchurian coast. A Department of State press release of May 11 stated that a protest was being made to the Military Armistice Commission. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, May 30, 1955, p. 891.↩