Evening star., 1950-01-06
Formosu

Ing from the nose ana DfulSed.
Formosu
Continued From First Page9
which Formosa is being written
off here-more because of its un-
stable internal condition than be-
cause of possible Communist at
tack-came with a report that
Americans are being told quietly
to leave the island.
The administration position
brought a near-solid wave of
angry criticism from Republicans
on Capitol Hill. One of their chief
complaints was that the President
ignored Congress and the biparti-
san foreign policy in reaching his
decision not to help the Chinese
Nationalists keep Formosa from
the Communists. Democratic lead
ers gave Mr.. Truman strong sup
port and denied the bipartisan
policy was being kicked overheard.
Senator Vandenberg, Republi-
can Of Michigan. who has been
one Of the chief defenders of the
bipartisan foreign policy. ex-
pressed regret that the President
had reached the decision an
nounced in a news conference
statement yesterday without con-
sulting Congress.
Senator Vandenberg made it
clear. nevertheless. that he does
not favor active American mill
tary participation in the defense
Of Formosa. But some Of his col
ieagues-notably Senators Taft OF
Ohio and Knowland of California
favor military action as a means
of hating the spread Of COM
munism in Asia.
Senate Democratic Leader Lucas
of Illinois warned that such action
might lead the United States into
full-scale war. Chairman Con-
nally Of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee warned the Re-
publican critics that ''the people
are behind the President"
Senator Wherry, Republican, of
Nebraska declared that the Pres
ident's hands-off statement yes
terday was IAN invitation to the
Moscow-directed Communists to
come and get" Formosa.
Regrets Lack of Consultation.
Secretary Acheson expressed re-
gret that it had not been prac-
ticable to have full consultation
with Congressional foreign policy
leaders about the whole Far East
ern problem before the Formosa
statement was issued. But, he
said, it was considered more i'm
portant to clarity the admins
tration position in view of "a great
deal Of confusion" that was
prejudicing American interests.
He recalled, as did the Presi-
dent, this country's traditional
support of the territorial integrity
of China and the wartime pledges
that Formosa. which Japan had
taken from China years ego,
should be restored to China.
If we are going to maintain
the free nations of the world as
a great unit opposed to the en-
croachment of communism and
other sorts of totalitarian aggres-
sion," he declared, "the world
must believe that we stand for
principle and that we are honor
able and decent people and that
we do not put forward words, as
propagandists do in other coun-
tries, to serve their advantage
only to throw them overheard
when some change in events
makes the position difficult to US
That was his answer to those
who have demanded that Ameri-
can armed forces take over the
island to save it from the Com
munists-a move that would be
interpreted by the Asiatic peoples
as an imperialistlc grab of Chi
nese territory
AS for proposals to help the
Chinese Nationalist defenders of
Formosa with military advisers
also ruled out in the Presidents
statement-Mr. Acheson said a
previous military mission to
Chang Kai-shek had completely
failed in its purpose because its
advice was not taken, and he did
not think this Government should
make the same mistake twice In
the same place.
Policy Declared Not New.
Mr.. Acheson said the Presidents Is
announcement of American inten-
tions yesterday did not represent
new policy, but affirmed what has
been "the unquestioned view" OF
the administration all along. Nc
responsible military man in the
administration has ever believed
that I'VE should involve our forces
In the island" he asserted.
He told questioners 1t was quite
wrong to believe that he and
Secretary of Defense johnson had
been at cross purposes about what
to do regarding Formosa. He and
Mr.. johnson have had no differ
ences In regard to the principal
elements Of policy, he said. He