U.S. Takes “Hands Off” Attitude To Shelling Kinmens

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23313, 24 July 1950, Page 5

U.S. Takes “Hands Off” Attitude To Shelling Kinmens

(10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 23.

The Chinese Nationalist Government stated on Saturday that on Friday night Chinese Communist forces began shelling the Kinmen Islands which are key defence outposls for Formosa.

The Nationalist Government informed the United States that Chinese Communist artillery had opened preinvasion barrages against the Kinmen Islands, The Communists are reported to have concentrated 1300 junks and motor-boats in the area. The United Press said that the Nationalist Government virtually asked the United States whether the American Seventh Fleet would act against the enemy or whether the Nationalist forces would be allowed to fight back.

Bases For Blockade

President Truman three weeks ago, in assigning the Seventh Fleet to the protection of Formosa, requested that Nationalist action against the Chinese mainland should cease. There are two islands—Kinman and the Little Kinman. The Communists assaulted Kinman last October but were beaten off. Both islands have been used by the Nationalists in their attempt to blockade the Chinese mainland. There are said to be about 40,000 Nationalist troops on both islands. The United Press said that the United States today took a “hands off’’ attitude towards the attacks. Both the State Department and the Chinese Embassy said they had received no message from the Nationalist Government about attacks.

State Department officials, asked by reporters whether the United States Seventh Fleet would be ordered to intervene, referred reporters to President Truman’s recent announcement in which he said the fleet would prevent any attack on Formosa but the Nationalists should cease all air and sea attacks on the Chinese mainland. The officials’ reply was taken to mean that the fleet would not intervene in the fighting for the Kinmens which are near the Chinese port of Amoy which is held by the Communists. May Fight if Attacked

The officials made it clear, however, that President Truman’s order does not bar the Nationalists from fighting back if they are attacked. Official quarters said that the United States is drafting a reply to the recent Nationalist Government’s, appeal for clarification and modification of the order that stationed the Seventh Fleet, in Formosa Straits. The Nationalists are seeking to determine whether the islands they hold near the Chinese mainland are covered by the President’s order and whether the Nationalist air reconnaissance and sea patrols can maintain a watch on Communist activities.

The Chinese Communists started a national campaign this week avowing their intention to seize Formosa, drive the American Navy and Army away and help the North Korean Government.