Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-09-05
continued Prom First Page

minutes with the President at
his vacation headquarters here.
Switch In Tactics
It signifed q switch in psy-
Geological warfare tactics
against the Chinese Reds. Here
tofore American ofiicials have
said frankly their aim was to
keep the Communists guessing
about what this country would
do concerning defense Of Que
moy. Now, they apparently con-
slider the time for guessing is
over.
Congress opened the door to
guessing about American In
tentions by passing a resolution
in 1855 that authorized the
President to employ United
States forces for protection Of
Formosa and such related po-
sitions" as Quepoy as he judges
to be necessary for the defense
of Formosa.
The question was brought to
q head by Chinese Communist
Smelling Of Quemoy for the past
two weeks and attacks on sup
ply lines which the Peipins
radio blatantly announced were
aimed at capture Of Formosa as
wen as Quemoy and Matsu.
Won't Hesitate
Mr.. Eisenhower still has moi
made any finding that use q
American armed forces Is re-
quired to insure the defense Of
Formosa, the statement Mr.
Dulles issued with the Presi-
dents approval noted.
But it added firmly:
1.-THE President would not
however. hesitate to make such
a finding If he judged that the
circumstances made this neces-
sary.
I'm this connection, we have
recognized that the securing
and protecting Of Quemoy and
Matsu have increasingly be-
come related to the defense Of
Taiwan (Formosa) -.
Military dispositions have
been made by the United States
50 that q presidential determi-
nation. If made, would be fol-
lowed by action both timely
and effective"
Reasons for Delaying Decialou
Two reasons were cited for
holding up the key presidential
decision.
For one thing, the statement
said. 1t is not yet clear that
the Communists viii make an
about effort to, conquer For
mosa despite what they have
said and done % far.
The second reason may have
more Importance in the Pregi-
dents mind. It 10 that tha
Chinese NationalistS. ep-
trenched 80, 900 strong on Gus
moy, may very well be able "a
throw back any Red invasion
by themselves, with no more
American help than the Sub
stantial logistical support" they
already are getting.
There is no point in oul
getting in prematurely," said
the high oflcial who inter.
preted the Dulles statement fol
newsmen at q background
press conference. He explained
that the Chinese Nationalist
would much prefer to do the
Job Of defending Quemoy them
selves-that it would be good
for their morale and prestige II
they are able to do 20.
Won't Wait TOo Long
This ofiicial's replies TO ques-
tions brought out the real signi-
ficance of the Dulles statement
as concerns Americas readiness
to join in the defense of Quemoy
If necessary.
Asked II the United States
would wait and zee II the Ma
tionalists could hold Quemoy
before deciding whether to help
with American armed forces,
he said:
I'VE would not, probably,
wait until the situation was in
extremiS.'
I'VE would Judge in the light
Of all the circumstances a. Ia
whether or not the situation
was out Of hand as far as the
Chinese Nationalists alone were
concerned. We would not wait
until the situation was desperate
before we acted"
A reporter asked If this meant
that American fighting mer
would go in IF we judged that
the Chinese Nationalist could
not hold those islands"
THAT. is the indication Of this
thing" the official replied"
That is. in general. the signifl-
canoe Of this statement, but
do not want by any paraphras-
ing to subtract from or add To
the precise language which the
President himself has author
lied"
Other Major Points
Other major points Drought
out in the background" con-
ference included:
l. American warships will
keep on helping to convoy Ma
tionalist supply craft up to the
traditional Smile limit OF
the Communist held mainland
Wonderfully simple
simply sCOnderJ~l
A Gimlet made tCith