The Reds Press On

Chiang Kai-shek's beleaguered Nationalists made their third retreat in six weeks. First, Yikiang fell in battle, then the Tachens were given up under U.S. protection and pressure. Last week the Nationalists evacuated six-square-mile Nanchi Island, 90 miles south of the fallen Tachens--first taking off 2,000 civilians, then the garrison of some 5,000 troops. The Nanchi withdrawal was a purely Nationalist operation. Chiang's aging P-47s and PBYs (World War II prop planes), aided by Nationalist F-84 and F-86 jets, covered the move. U.S. air-sea rescue teams stood by in case of trouble, but did not take part.

For the Nationalists, the loss of Nanchi was another bitter cup of tea. Washington denied that any pressure had been put on Chiang to give up Nanchi (aside from the negative pressure of refusing armed assistance in holding it). Only a few days before the withdrawal, a high Nationalist spokesman had announced that Nanchi would be defended in battle and its soldiers would not surrender one inch of territory. Last week, admitting the evacuation, Nationalist Premier O. K. Yui told the Legislative Yuan that Matsu and Quemoy would be held for a "fight to the death."

Without U.S. help. Nanchi was untenable. The island was boxed in by Red-held islands to the north and northwest, and by Red-held Taishan to the south. The cumulative psychological and physical momentum of the Red campaign in the island war is now clearly apparent in Washington (though not in London, as the talks between Dulles and Eden at Bangkok revealed). In recent weeks the Reds have been making a show of air, sea and land strength south along the coast below Shanghai.

Some of the enemy troops that had been on the mainland across from the Tachens have now moved south, in spite of repeated Nationalist air attacks on their junks. Red surface craft have moved south of Wenchow, and are operating from small ports between Wenchow and Foochow. The Communists have a jet airfield at Foochow--across from Matsu--and can now ship fuel from Shanghai to Foochow without much trouble from Nationalist air. Washington believes that when fuel stocks at the Foochow base are sufficiently built up, Red MIGs will appear there.

Probable next Chinese Communist target: Matsu.

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