Evening star., 1950-01-09
Truman and Acheson
Called Probably Right
In Formosa Decision
D. S. Seen Getting Ready
To Recognize Muo's
Government in China
By David Laurence

doesn't want to be drawn into q
position now where the retention
of any part of Formosa's territory
by the United States would con-
stitute a provocation to conflict in
the Formosa area. especially If the
Communists undertake an inva-
sion of the island.
Actually, the Department OF
State sees the military value OF
Formosa and doesn't undertake to
question the arguments that come
from the Pentagon as to the i'm
portance of the big island. The
Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs
are united in urging that America
maintain some kind Of military
base on Formosa. But. as prac-
tical matter, such bases can be the
subject of negotiations year from
now or even later rather than to
complicate the present situation
with any step that could only
prove mischievous in the field OF
diplomacy.
To Follow British Lead.
For the State Department, how
ever hesitant it may appear today,
realizes that eventually it will
follow the lead of Great Britain
and recognize the Communist gov
ernment as in de facto control of
China. 70 may be that later on
the United States may have some
thing to say on what military bases
shall be established in the Far East
generally but, in the absence of
any immediate threat of war, the
tendency Of the Department Of
State is to avoid the subject al
together.
There was one little slip, how
ever. President Truman, in read
ing orally to his press conference
the prepared statement of policy.
said that the United States has
no. desire to establish military
bases on Formosa "at this time. -
The phrase did not appear in the
mimeographed page that was
handed to the press, and undoubt-
edly it reflected what Mr.. Truman
was thinking about and, there
fore. constituted a revelation OF
what probably had been said in
the discussions among his OFF,
cials.
It will be recalled that, when
Secretary of Defense johnson and
Gen. Bradley were in Berlin re-
Gently, they said there was no
intention OF rearming Germany
"at this time" and all the world
has been speculating as to what
was really meant.
4. Okinawa Vulnerable.
Secretary Of State Acheson now
says the phrase, "at this time" as
used by President Truman with
reference to q military base on
Formosa, was related to the un-
likely contingency that American
armed forces in the Far East
might be attacked. But this
sounds like q rationalized ex-
PLANTATION.
The fact is that the Okinawa
base. on which about $125 900 900
is being spent, would be vulner-
able If Formosa were occupied by
Russian air forces. Likewise,
Okinawa could not be supplied
very readily by shipping If COM
mand Of the seas in that area is
obtained by a hostile force based
on Formosa.
It isn't that the United States
couldn't dislodge enemy forces in
due time. but such q program Is
costly. The failure Of Congress
to fortify the little island OF
Guam IN the SOS cost many
American lives.
But 20 far as bases are con-
eerned. they are useless unles.
they are maintained with some
sort Of military force. America
had an important hold on tn,
Philippines in 1941, but Gen
Macarthur didn't have the ali
strength to defend it nor did ths
Navy have enough warships tt
keep q strong feet In Philippine
waters.
View Held Probably Right.
So the President and Secretary
Acheson are probably right ir
refusing to grab a base In For
mosa, especially at a time when
there Is a civil war in China. From
the viewpoint of sheer expedi-
ency. at the moment, they can
justify their position. But If the
United States really wanted a
base. 1t could continue to do busi-
ness with the Nationalist govern
ment and. at the request of the
latter, send forces to maintain q
base. So far as the United
States Is concerned. the Nation
alist government is still the
recognized government Of China
and when any government ask.
another for military or naval aie
Tor any purpose. the rules of in.
ternational law permit such aie
to be granted as merely an &C
in support Of q constituted gov
ernment.
What the debate over Formoss
really means is that the Unitet
States Is getting ready to recog
laize the Communist government
and lis hopeful that some day tn
Chinese Communists will accep
American friendship In worlt
policies rather than establish an.
alliance Of . permanent natur
with the Soviets.
Time may tell . different story
The decision to abandon the Ma
tionalists and not to help then
stay in Formosa may prove |
momentous one. But there ar
calculated risks In diplomacy a
well as In war. So the Depart
ment OF States viewpoint pre-
walls.
AS for the military folks. the.
~rns hnieo fnId in affaef that a