Evening star., 1953-08-19
u. 5. Keeps Brake on
Chang TO Prevent
Major Push on Reds
By Gornett D. Homer

The United States is keeping a
brake for the time being on any
major offensive against the Com
muniSt-held China mainland by
Chinese Nationalist troops on
FormoSa.
This was disclosed by RESPONSE
BILE Government officials who
made clear President Eisen-
hoWer's action in resembling
orders to the 7th Fleet to prevent
any Nationalist invasion of the
mainland did not take all the
wraps of Chang Kai-shek's
forces.
Under an arrangement worked
out with Chiang's government,
these officials said the United
States has some voice in any
plans for major military action
by the Nationalists.
They would not concede that
the arrangement gives the United
States a firm veto over NATIONAL
ist military activities, but ap-
parently it virtually amounts to
that so far as any major action
is concerned.
Oppose Rash Action.
Officials explained that this
Governments main concern is to
try to make sure that the Chang
Kai-shek forces do not under
take any action precipitately
that would provoke a retaliatory
invasion of FormoSa which al
most inevitably would involve
the United States in all-out war
with Red China.
These sources pointed out
that Gen. Eisenhower's instruc-
tions, announced in his February
2 State-of the Union message,
that the 7th Fleet mo longer
be employed to shield Commu-
mist China" did not change the
fleets responsibility to protect
Formosa against any Communist
aggression.
In order to carry out this
grave responsibility, they said,
there must be arrangements for
close consultation between the
United States and the Chinese
Nationalist government.
Provides for Notice.
Such arrangements provide
for the United States to be in
formed in advance of any Ma
tlonaliSt plans for major mill
tary action which might result
in Communist counteraction that
would involve the 7th Fleet in
its mission of protecting For
moSa.
officials emphasized that it is
only in such contingencies that
the agreement with Chang Kai-
Shek'S government gives the
United States some voice in Ma
tlonalist military plans.
There are no American inhi-
bltions, they said, against Ma
tionalist hit-and-run raids on
Communicated off-shore is
lands. Such harassing raids
have been stepped up in recent
months with an increased flow
OF modern equipment being SUP
Piled the Nationalist armies by
this country.
These sources said there was
a hard-to-def1nite balance be-
tween major offensive action on
which the arrangement with the
Nationalist government gives
this country a brake, and the
harasslng raid type of activity.
Retaliation Seen Possible.
1t was pointed out that anv
attempted full scale invasion of
the China mainland by the Ma
tlonalist forces almost inevitably
would bring counteraction bv
the Reds. involving air raids that
might result in the killing of
American sailors and Army per-
sonnet stationed on Formosa as
advisors to Chiang'S forces. This
could touch off full-scale war.
1t is this type of thing over
which the United States wants
TO keep some kind of control,
but at the same time, officials
emphasized, it was impossible
TO commit this Government to
being responsible for everything
Chlang Kai-shek might do.
The heretofore secret arrange.
ment with the Nationalist gov
ernment presumably dates back
70 the time Gen. Eisenhower re-
moved the 7th Fleet ban on an
offensive from Formosa against
the mainland.
In his State-of-the-Union
message the President said he
wanted to make crystal clear
that his instructions that the
meet no longer be employed to
shield Communist China" i'm
pned mo aggressive intent on
our part"
Changed Truman Order
Gen. Eisenhower's orders
changed original instructions tn
the fleet by former President
truman in June, 1850, after the
outbreak of the Korean war
Mr.. Truman ordered the fleet
TO neutralize Formosa by insur-
ing that it not be used as q
nase for offensive action against
the China mainland and pro-
tectlng it against any Comuou-
mist aggression.
Gen. Eisenhower's action last
Feoruary was generally inter
preted as taking the wraps off
Chlang Kai-shek. With the dis
closure of the secret arrange
ment. however. it is clear that
some strings were attached.
Inc tlrst report of this came
Monday in a copyrighted dis
patch from Formosa to the New
YORK Herald Tribune by CORE
Spondent Marguerite Higgins.
She wrote that the Chinese Ma
tlonallst forces were as "much