TENSION REGARDING FORMOSA SAID TO HAVE LESSENED

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 November 1950, Page 5

TENSION REGARDING

FORMOSA SAID TO HAVE LESSENED

LONDON, Nov. 6.—Chinese Nationalist, American and British authorities here all agree that any immediate threat of a Communist invasion of Formosa has greatly declined in the last few weeks, says the ‘‘Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent in Teipei. He continues that the chief cause of the growing feeling of confidence in this strategically important island has been President Truman’s orders to the American 7th Fleet 1o attack any forces invading from the mainland. The United Nations victory in Korea also contributed to the sense of security. Moreover, the Nationalists have used the time gained to good advantage. The Americans have no military mission with the Nationalist forces, but Mr Rankin, the American Minister, has 46 military and naval representatives, under the command of Admiral Jarrett, attached to his staff.. They have made a close study of the Formosan defences and believe that the Nationalist forces, nearly 600.000 strong, would fight, far better than they did on the mainland if the need should arise. Britain no longer recognises the Nationalist Government, but the British services are represented here by a liaison officer. One sign of increasing confidence is that, the wives of American officials and business men are now being permitted to return. They left. last. January after the United States administration appeared to have "written off” Formosa. Despite President Truman’s statement that, the order to the 7th Fleet to protect Formosa would remain in force only until Korea had been settled,” no one in Tei Pei believes that the United States intends, in any forseeable future, to abandon Formosa.—Special NZPA Correspondent.