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• PL 86-36/50 USC 3605 

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SUBJECT NUMBER 

USCIB: 9.2/25 

Subject: 

bGA 

Item 2 of the Agenda for the lllth Meeting of USCIB, · 

held on 14 January 1955. 

COM.INT Capability to Provide Early Warning of \CHIC(}IJ 

Attack on Formosa. 

THE CHAIRMAN, :i.rtl-~~tlgutheul'.11.emb~rsmthatJ I his repres.entative 

who has been dealing with the CHINATS, is pres~e=n""t......,,.,an""'d~available for consultation; I I 

THE CHAIRMAN, stating his understanding of the issue to be whether'\ or 

not to make a high level approach to the Chinese Nationalists, and if so 

how to accomplish it, said that he has no strong feeling in the matter. 

He added that he does think it important, however, that any action ta.ken 

not have the effect of disrupting existing assets. 

THE CHAIRMAN asked concerning the status of the base rights negotiations. 

MR. HOWE replied that the negotiations are under way. He recalled 

that Mr. Armstrong had reported at the last meeting that conversations 

between the Ambassador and the Chinese had begun, and stated that there 

have been subsequent discussions between them. 

ADMIRAL ESPE said that he is disturbed only by the fact that we don't 

know how far along we are. He noted that April - the likely time for 

action from the mainland - is fast approaching and time is of the essence. 

MR. GODEL stated, in this regard, tnat obtaining base righta is the 

best method of fulfilling the consumer requirement for early warning; 

however, he said that he doubts that we can afford to wait until the base 

rights negotiations are completed. 

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eclassified and approved for release by 

SA on 11-04-2014 pursuant to E.O. 

3526 
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MR. GODEL said that he considered General Canine's point well taken and 

would favor such an approach. I 

THE CHAIRMAN again warned against destroying what we are now getting, 

and suggested the possibility of a direct approach by the Air and Navy 

representatives to their CHINAT counterparts. 

ADMIRAL ESPE said that he would support a USCIB recormnendation to have 

Admiral Stu.mp make an approach, recognizing that he has a very direct 

interest. 

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MR. GODEL indicated that a recommendation from U3CIB to the Secretary 

of Defense on this point would undoubtedly be acted upon favorably • 

• MR. HOWE said that his Department has no strong feeling on the use of 

diplomatic or military channels. ~e added his opinion that in the case of 

either type of approach the five cautions raised by CIA would be brought 

into play, going on to point out that we are in not too good a position to 

blame the CHINATS for inaction on the base rights problem. He concluded by 

saying that the CHINA.TS, not being ignorant with regard to the base rights 

or traffic problems, will play us for all they can get. 

ADMIRAL ESPE expressed his view that they have already played us, 

having received some 2! billion dollars up to 1949. Saying that he agrees 

with General Canine, he suggested that the time has come for us to make 

our position clear. 

GENERAL CANINE asked if there is any possibility of getting 11 hardnosed11 with them. 

THE CFAIRMAN said that the Chinese probably realize full -well that we 

won't pull out if we don't get what we want, and are therefore in a 

position to call our hand if we attempt a bluff'. 

MR. HOl.JE said that he would prefer a high-level approach which would 

not be demanding in nature, but which would request greater cooperation on 

the intelligence side. 

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USCIB: 9. 2/25 

a memorandum for the Special Committee incorporating any other views the 

members may have be prepared by the Executive Secretary and circulated 

for approval before forwarding. He proposed that the memorandum state 

that USCIB has considered various lines of action (listing them) and 

submits the views, pro and con, advanced with regard to each. He concluded by suggesting thRt the Special Committee be asked to meet on this 

subject at an early date. 

On the subject of unanimity of opinion within USCIB, GENERAL CANINE 

stated that this matter is certain]Jr pertinent to the Director, NSA, and 

that only a majority opinion is therefore required. · 

MR. GODEL, returning to the question of obtaining base rights~ said 

that he believes it unlikely that bases can be obtained in time to provide early warning this year. 

DECISION: (14 January 1955) USCIB directed the Executive Secretary to 

prepare a draft memorandum for the Special Committee, NSC, summarizing 

USCIB1 s consideration of the subject problem, indicating the various 

courses of action considered and views expressed with regard to each. 

It was further agreed that the draft memorandum would be circulated for 

the members' approval prior to forwarding. 

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