Evening star., 1954-11-28
By John N. Hiehtower
Associated Press Sfuff Writer


The United States and Ma
tionalist China have substan-
TALLY agreed on terms of a de-
tense treaty by which American
protection will be pledged to
Formosa, the Pescadores and
possibly some coastal islands
held by the Nationalists.
The pact is expected to be
signed before the end of the
year, following further talks here
between Nationalist Foreign
Minister George Yeh and State
Department officials.
Authorities view the projected
treaty as a step which could
help stabilize the Formosan area
and, over a period of years, es-
tablish more peaceful conditions
there. In this respect it is under
stood to be regarded favorably
by Britain.
Want Defense Assurance.
In the negotiations, the nature
and extent of the guarantees
which Washington was willing to
give Nationalist China consti-
tuted the main difficulties.
/ Generalissimo Chang Kai-
shek's government, it was un-
derstood, wanted assurance of
automatic United States partici-
patton in defense of all National
ist-held islands. That would
have blanketed in scores of small
coastal islands like Quemoy and
the Tachens.
The United States was un-
willing to make such sweeping
commitments. 1t insisted that
the pact should follow estab-
lished patterns and that this
country would not be pinned
down to a promise of precise
action in defense of every spot
of land where Nationalist
forces are deployed.
Treaty Essentials.
The treaty essentials which
have been agreed on thus far
cover these points:
1. Both sides would pledge
themselves to use peaceful means
for settling their disputes and
to refrain from use OF force
except in defense. In return
for treaty protection, Chang
would agree to avoid what the
diplomats call provocative at
tacks on Red China.
2. The action clause would be
what Secretary of State Dulles
calls the Monroe Doctrine" type
which was used in the South
east Asia alliance signed at
Manila last September. The
United States would agree to
recognize an armed attack in
the Formosan area as endanger-
ing it's own peace and safety and
to meet the danger in ac-
cordance with its own constitu-
tional processes.
3. The area to be protected
would be Formosa and, the
nearby Pescadores Islands, and
such other Nationalist-held ter
ritories as may be judged by the
United States to be essential to
the defense of Formosa.
Policy Not Finally Determined.
American policy with respect
to defending the costal islands
has never been finally deter
mined by President Eisenhower
and the National Security Coun-
Gil. The council decided against
authorizing American air strikes
on Red Chinese bases at the
time the Reds assaulted Quemoy
in early September. But this
did not bar a contrary decision
| in the future with respect to
Quemoy or some other island
One reason for deliberately keep
ing policy uncertain is to avoid
letting the Chinese Reds think
they can take any island with
impunity
| 4 The treaty would be of in
definite duration, capable of con-
tinuing in force for many years
provided neither side denounced
| it.
5 The treaty would be made
with the Republic Of China,
thereby reaffirming American
recognition Of Chiang's regime as
the legal Chinese government
United States authorities say,
however, that this would not for
ever bar American reconsidera-
ton of the whole recognition
| problem If the behavior OF
Chlnas Communist government,
should ever undergo tunda-
mental change.
| Sought for Year.
Chang Kai-Shek has sought
a treaty with the United States
for q year or more. The admin
istration was at first reluctant
to make any formal commit