NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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9. Halting the Shrinkage in the Free World: We are doomed to ultimate defeat in the Far East if we continue to be precluded from taking strong action. If the shrinkage of the free world is to be halted, we must begin the rollback of communist power. We must exert constant pressure against China to undermine her position. In the event of Communist assault on Formosa, we should take the offensive against China proper. Communist attack on the offshore islands would present us the opportunity of destroying a large part of the Chinese Communist air strength, and furnish the occasion for the start of the rollback which might profitably begin with the recapture of Hainan. American opinion will support such a strong policy in Asia.
Chapter 6. Observations of the Chief of Mission
10. This policy would have two aspects to be concurrently followed: (1) defensively, the development of increasing strength and stability in East Asia, (2) the maintenance of continuous pressures against the Communist apparatus. A regional, multi-national organization, integrating the assets of the nations in question, will insure the phased development of military, political and economic strengths. In particular,
"Under the conditions extant today, Formosa represents an asset which transcends considerations of pure defense. It constitutes the most important springboard for the projection of all manner of operations against the Chinese Communist mainland. It is the potential rallying point for the totality of non-communist Chinese in Asia, under a liberal political platform which could have a profound appeal to the Chinese masses. It houses a vehemently anti-communist government which could contribute significantly to a regional organization designed to solidify the free nations of Asia as a pre-requisite to action calculated to undermine and weaken the Communist bloc."
Chapter 7 - Explanation of Approach to Survey
11. "Cursory examination revealed that there were no positive and consistent United States policy statements … with respect to East Asia and its component countries. Similarly lacking were clear and unmistakable prime military missions for the forces of the several countries … Consequently, certain hypothetical policies were established in order to secure a quantitative measure of the forces required for the support thereof." The first envisages an intermediate policy designed to develop increasing strength among the free nations of Asia while maintaining pressures to undermine and weaken Asian communist regimes and being prepared to exploit by offensive action the situations created by such pressures. This policy, he states, is geared to the announced intentions of the Administration, although not adequately reflected in current national security policies. The second policy considers preventive war. The third policy considers a distinctly defensive posture.
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