Draft of Press Release, Statement by President Harry S. Truman

it June 27, 1950 F 'OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In Korea the Government forces which were armed to prevent border raids and to preserve internal security have been thrown back. The North Korean forces were armed by the Soviet Union for this invasion with tanks and fighter planes. In order to permit the Government forces to retire and reform and to give the Security Council of the United Nations a further opportunity to take action to stop this unlawful aggression I have ordered United States air and sea forces to give the Korean Government forces cover and support. The attack upon Korea makes it plain beyond all doubt that Communisti Imperialism, centrally directed as it is, has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent nations and will now use armed invasion and war. It has defied the orders of the Security Council of the United Nations issued to preserve international peace and security. In these circumstances the occupation of Formosa by Communist forces would be a direct threat to the security of the Philippines, Indo China, and to United States forces performing their lawful and necessary functions in the Far East. Accordingly I have ordered the Seventh Fleet - and it has now taken up the necessary positions - to peevent any attack on that island. As a corollary of this action I call upon the Chinese Nationalist Government on Formosa to cease all air and sea offensive against the mainland. The Seventh Fleet will also see that this is done. ARCHIVES to RECERDS SERWCE¹ AND of is