Evening star., 1951-06-01
Acheson Testimony Is Held Up
While Senators WrongIe Over
Secret Document on Formosa
l949 Pepper Reported
To Declare Island
Is Without Value
By Cecil Holland and
Gomett D. Homer


The Senate Joint Committee in,
vestigating the Macarthur con-
troversy recessed at 1914 pm
today until 2:30 pm. without
reaching a decision on declasSi'
flying a confidential 1949 State
Department document dealing witt
Formosa.
The committee debated the re-
lease of the document for more
than two hours with Secretary oi
State Acheson on the witness stanc
ready to testify in the investiga.
ton.
Chairman Russell of the investi-
eating committee told reporters
that a vote would be taken wher
the committee reconvenes thi:
afternoon. The long recess wa!
taken to enable Senator Russell
to bring to the Senate floor a com.
promise QraIC Dill.
The sharp dispute over the re-
lease of the document delayed
until the afternoon session Mr.
Acheson's testimony dealing with
the dismissal of Gen. Macarthur
and this country's foreign anc
military policies in the Far East
Strategic Importance Disputed.
The disputed document is re-
ported to give the State Depart
ment's view that Formosa coulc
be written off as having no stra-
tegic Importance. Military leader:
who have testified in the investi-
CATION thus far have said the
island is strategically vital anc
should not be allowed to fall into
enemy hands.
Senator Knowland, Republican
Of California, called for declassi-
flying the document so that il
could go into the record as a basis
of questions that could be put tt
Mr.. Acheson.
Senator Mcmahon, Democrat
Of Connecticut, protested taking
up the matter in advance of Sec
retary Acheson's general state
ment on the controversy. Mr.
Acheson had prepared a state
ment running about 18 minutes
long.
Senator Mccarthy, Republican
of Wisconsin, chief congressional
critic of the State Department,
came out of the closed hearing
before noon and said the discus
sion on declassifying the document
was still going on.
Called Dangerous to Acheson.
Asked if he saw any reason why
the confidential" label should not
be removed. Senator Mccarthy
said:
Il don't think it would endan-
ger the security of the country
but it will endanger the security
Of Acheson."
The Wisconsin Republican also
said press dispatches from Tokyo
more than a year ago giving the
substance of the document were
essentially correct"
1t was reported the document
was read in the hearing room, but
no record was made of it pending
committee action on declassify.
ing it.
Senators Knowland and Nc.
Mahon make up a subcommittee
that deals with classified materia
being brought before the Senate
investigators. AS Mr.. Achesor
prepared to give the COMMITTEES
the diplomatic side of the con.
troversy over the Macarthur dis.
missal and this country's foreign
policy, Chairman Russell of thu
joint committee said that the cab.
met officer has headed the State
Department during "one of the
most trying periods in the history
Of the United States"
Important Decisions Recalled.
Senator Russell said MIR. Ache.
son has "grappled with problems
OF a colossal magnitude" anc
added:
"As Secretary of State, he ha.
participated in all of the decision.
OF recent years which have deter.
Continued on Page A-4, Col. L.