Evening star., 1955-01-30
knoWIand Opposes
Surrender Of Islands
As Cease-Fire Price
By Gould Lincoln


By Gould Lincoln
Senator Knowland Of Califor-
mia. Republican leader Of the
Senate, said fatty yesterday that
the islands Of Matsu and Que
moy should not be handed over
to Red China as q price for q
cease-fre between the forces OF
the Chinese Communists and the
Chinese Nationalists.
Such q bargain, the California
Senator declared would be
pouring more free territory
down the Communist drain" It
would be acclaimed by the Com
munists as victory. he said.
The Californian said he had
discussed this matter with Sec
retary of State Dulles. but he did
not say that the Secretary was
In agreement. He added he was
impelled to speak out before to-
morrow's meeting Of the United
Nations Security Council. which
will discuss q cease-fire. so that
our allies as well as the Commu-
nists understand. He said re-
ports Of the speech Friday night
by Sir Anthony Eden. British
Foreign Secretary. compelled
him to believe that. our allies
probably would propose some
such concession to Red China.
Cites 1O-Year withdrawal.
"I have been deeply con-
cerned," Senator Knowland said,
"that cease-fire must not be
linked up with these coastal
islands. For 10 years the free
world--the Western nations
have withdrawn and withdrawn.
permitting the Communists to
add to their territory. until 6
hundred million more people have
come under their domination.
There ought to be some way OF
getting an agreement for a cease
fire without yielding more terri
tory to the Chinese Communists.
IT see no more reason for Civ
ing Quemoy and Matsu to the
Communists than for giving
Hainan--which was taken by the
Communists some time ago--to
the Chinese Nationalists. Why
do we have to get a cease-fire
agreement on terms that the
Chinese Reds would lay down If
they had won a military VIC
tory?"
Senator Knowland said such
terms would destroy any hope
which the Chinese Nationalists
on Formosa and their supporters
on the mainland might have Of
returning to power In China.
Such an agreement would
amount to both a military and
a moral victory for the Chinese
Communists. he said.
Doubts q. S. win Give Up Isles.
Senator Knowland added he
did not think that the United
States would agree to give up
any territory whose loss would
hinder the defense of Formosa
and the Pescadores.
Giving up these islands"
Senator Knowland said, would
have wide reaction in Asia--the
same kind Of reaction as the
fall of Dien Bien Phu. 1t would
be a heavy blow to the free ma
tions of Asia"
Quemoy and Matsu may not
be absolutely essential to the
protection Of Formosa, Senator
Knowland said, but they are
strong points held by the Ma
tionalists and important because
they command the ports Of
Annoy and Foochow. This was
particularly important In the
Nationalist Chinese blockade of
the China mainland. They have
been so strong that Communists
have been unable to take them
In the past.
Further more. If a cease-fire
and truce should be undertaken,
and the Communists violate its
terms. these islands could be
used to strike at the Chinese
Communists.
Sees Cease-Fire Violation.
Senator Knowland pointed out
the Chinese Communists have
violated cease-fire agreements
In Korea and in Indo-C China.
Violations under the projected
new cease-fire. he said. could
be answered through Quemoy
and Matsu If the time comes
The California Senator. while
willing to 60 along with a
straight cease-fire agreement
regarding Formosa and the
island. made it clear that he
was opposed to having the
Chinese Communists invited to
sit down with the Security Coun-
Gil to discuss the issues. He
said the Communists should get
no such invitation until they
have liberated the American
airmen and other Americans
they now have in prison.
. Tk.n Nj - l,,~~ A~..