Evening star., 1950-10-20
U. S. Seen continuing
Policy on ! Iormosa
Unless Rels Act
Fleet Due 10 Protect
Island Fro h Invasion
Until U. n Takes Over
By Davd Laurence

Dv DOCN LutUIeHtc
When President Truman said
that he didn't dscuss with General
Macarthur aF change in the
American polly toward Formosa
because this ias settled four or
five weeks agg the only interpre-
tation possibly is that the policy
announced atthe time the Korean
war broke ot will remain as it
is unless Red China disturbs it.
The Ameri,a an attitude, as an
nounced in June, was that the
United Stats would neutralize
Formosa and keep it out of the
fighting. there has been no
change on tlat point. What was
widely construed as a hint of
change occIred when Mr.. Tru-
man told hi press conference re-
Gently that the United States
Seventh Fle.t would be withdrawn
after the fighting in Korea is
over.
But th possible withdrawal of
the fleet, was never intended to
mean TINT America was inviting
the Natinalists and the Commu-
nists in China to resume fighting
in Fornpsa.
When Mr.. Truman was asked
at his PRESS conference yesterday
whether the United States would
defend Formosa pending deter
minati@ by the United Nations
as to What should be done about
the future of the island, he said
that this was a river We have not
come b yet.
>; Key to Whole Policy.
This really furnishes the key to
the whole Formosa policy. For
it mearS that the existing situa-
ton willbe maintained-American
naval forces will continue to pro-
tect the island until the United
Nations takes over the job or
until it is considered safe for all
naval fqces to withdraw. But at
no time would American naval
forces bs far away from Formosan
waters Hen if actually withdrawn
from duty in the immediate
vicinity of the island.
Meanwhile, a United Nations
committee will struggle with the
problem 1t may take year be-
fore a final plan can be pre-
sented to the assembly. 1t is
hoped here that in the intervening
months Communist China will do
nothing to complicate matters.
The Communist regime in
China taxes the view that it has
the right to acquire Formosa. Ger
tainly it was the intention of the
United Safes at one time to agree
that China should have it, but,
since tie Reds in China have
made common cause with the Reds
in Moscow, the American Govern
ment cannot but look with grave
concern on the presence of hostile
forces in and around Formosa.
There is no disagreement with
Gen. Macarthur that Formosa
must aot be allowed to fall into
the hnds of any power hostile to
the Uiited States.
WHITTIER or not the future gov
ernmmt of China will be hostile
to TIE United States depends on
developments in the next few
months. During period of proba-
Ition the status quo can be main
Itainei.
Dulles Working on Formula.
So, all in all, what the President
Is saying is that there is nothing
TO be done about the defense of
Formosa that has not already been
announced. The views of Gen.
Macarthur on the Importance of
tormosa from a military stand
hoint have been taken into ac-
punt. What will happen from
he standpoint of the U. N. in ad-
hitting Red China or from the
dewpoint of the United States
Government when it comes to a
dlestion of diplomatic recognition
DE points yet to be determined.
IS often happens in government,
plicies are held in allegiance
awaiting developments. That's
Why the President could say that
Fbrmosan policy was settled weeks
ago-it was settled in the sense
that all parties within our Gov
eminent decided to do nothing TO
change the situation but to wait
till the U. N. has outlined course
of action.
John Foster Dulles, who is
familiar with the Macarthur
views and those of the State De-
partment, is quietly working out
a formula to present to one Of
the committees of the United Ma
tions. When that is done, the next
step may well be some means OF
assuring that there will be no
fighting in and around Formosa
while the subject is under con-
sideration by the U. N. II the
Reds in China hope to win recog-
milton or a seat on the Security
Council, they cannot hope 10 get
1t by starting an invasion OF For
mosa. Likewise, the Nationalist
will have to agree to stay on the
island without attacking the
mainland. Such a solution would.
of course, be in line with the
Macarthur views.
ID.~.o5ro+&o~ Dgoh1- D.,nsr.dN