and effective.

7. The President and I earnestly hope that the Chinese Communist
regime will not again, as in the case of Korea, defy the basic
principle upon which world order depends, namely, that armed force
should not be used to achieve territorial ambitions. Any such naked
use of force would pose an issue far transcending the offshore islands
and even the security of Taiwan (Formosa). It would forecast a
widespread use of force in the Far East which would endanger vital
free-world positions, and the security of the United States.
Acquiescence therein would threaten peace everywhere. We believe that
the civilized world community will never condone overt military
conquest as a legitimate instrument of policy.

8. The United States has not, however, abandoned hope that Peiping
will stop short of defying the will of mankind for peace. This would
not require it to abandon its claims, however ill-founded we may deem
them to be. I recall that in the extended negotiations which the
representatives of the United States and Chinese Communist regime
conducted at Geneva between 1955 and 1958, a sustained effort was made
by the United States to secure, with particular reference to the
Taiwan area, a declaration of mutual and reciprocal renunciation of
force, except in self-defense, which, however, would be without
prejudice to the pursuit of policies by peaceful means. The Chinese
Communists rejected any such declaration. We believe, however, that
such a course of conduct constitutes the only civilized and acceptable
procedure. The United States intends to follow that course, so far as
it is concerned, unless and until the Chinese Communists, by their
acts, leave us no choice but to react in defense of the principles to
which all peace-loving governments are dedicated.

2. White House Statement,

September 6, 1958

The President discussed the Taiwan Straits situation with the
Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of
Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff--members of the
National Security Council. Also present were the Director of the
United States Information Agency, the Director of the Office of Civil
and Defense Mobilization, and the Acting Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency. The Vice President, because of a long-standing
out of town engagement, was unable to be present.

Consideration was given to measures which would conform to the policy
enunciated on Sep