U.S. MISSION TO FORMOSA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27641, 23 April 1955, Page 7

U.S. MISSION TO FORMOSA

New Peace Moves Reported

Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 21. President Eisenhower conferred with the National Security Council today amid speculation that the United States is pressing Nationalist China to consider new peace moves m.the Formosa Straits.

It has been reported that the Administration has been with 3 ’a g CWnST’V 1 ? 16 a r P l an for a cease fire linked Semoy Matsu Ss. Wlthdrawal from the " ffshore

■aid S todav th TTnd<^ P fh s ml^ t J be unde r consideration, it was “’"J °i a {2 the reported proposals, other free nations m B uarantee «ng the defence of Formosa if the Nationalists gave up the offshore islands. . N rK tiO S S als ° be asked to oppose the use of force to settle the Formosa crisis.

The report that some new approach toward Formosa was under consideration followed these three developments:

(1) Admiral Arthur Radford, chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, abandoned plans for a European trip and left on Wednesday for Formosa with Mr Walter Robertson, the Assistant Secretary of State. (2) Administration officials reported that the Communist Chinese are working hard to develop the air power necessary to make a heavy attack on Formosa.

(3) Recurring reports that the United States does not want to run the risk that a Far Eastern war might break out if the Chinese Communists attack the Quemoy and Matsu Islands. The United Press says Admiral Radford and Mr Robertson are going to Formosa to test Nationalist Chinese sentiment for a cease-fire line down the middle of the Formosa Straits. Mission “Not Routine”

In Honolulu, Mr Robertson said he and Admiral Radford were on their way to Formosa on a mission which was “not routine.”

Admiral Radford declined to comment on reports of a big Chinese Communist air build-up opposite Formosa.

Recent intelligence reports are understood to have indicated that the Soviet has increased its shipments of jets to the Chinese Communists. Some of these are said to be of the latest types, comparable to the best United States aircraft. None of these aeroplanes has yet shown up at a series of air bases being rushed to completion by the Communists along the coast opposite Formosa and the island groups of Quemoy and Matsu.

The Secretary of State (Mr Dulles) said that the Radford-Robertson trip to see Marshal Chiang involves “normal maintenance of contact in a situation that is admittedly serious.’’