Notes
FORMOSA T T is no secret that there are differences of opinion between 'Britain and America on the scope and function of SEATO in relation to the threat of Communist Chinese aggression. But the gloomy rumours that Sir Anthony Eden and Mr. Dulles had drifted further apart when they came to discuss Formosa at Bangkok seem happily to have been quite unfounded. When Mr. Dulles returned to the United States there were reports that he was going to take a 'stronger line.' In that he warned China that the consequences of open armed aggression would probably be general war in Asia, he did so. But, in the matter of Formosa, if one compares his temperate broadcast with Sir Anthony's speech in the House of Commons one is likely to come to the conclusion that each knew, and approved, what the other was going to say. It seems fairly clear that America's policy has for the last few months been the isolating, and effective neutralising, of Formosa, and that the evacuation by the Nationalists of the offshore islands, including Quemoy and the Matsus, is the first necessity. Even while we regretted the ambiguities of America's attitude, we never doubted the ultimate objective. Although Sir Anthony now says explicitly that the British Government's view is that the Nationalists should evacuate the offshore islands, while Mr. Dulles speaks guardedly still of 'a defence which will be flexible and not necessarily confined to a static defence of Formosa and the Pescadores themselves,' it should not be assumed that there is any actual difference of intention. Sir Anthony can say openly what Mr. Dulles can scarcely hint at without drawing down the wrath of powerful forces who read 'appeasement' into any move to put further pressure on Chiang Kai-shek. It is, admittedly, a difficult situation tactically for America, but the sooner public opinion there can be swung over to the support of a more openly rational policy the better. Chiang has so far been successfully restrained from attacking the mainland, and China has not assaulted Quemoy and Matsu. But can this uneasy 'truce' go on indefinitely? The sooner seventy miles of blue water are put between the Communists and Nationalists the better. With that accomplished, Mr. Dulles's warning to China against open armed aggression can be more whole- heartedly supported by America's friends; and we shall be a little nearer to those conditions without which, as Sir Anthony said, a conference on Formosa would be pointless.
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