Eisenhower on the Taiwan Situation (September 11, 1958)

On September 11, 1958, after almost three weeks of attacks by mainland China against Taiwan's offshore islands of Quemoy and Matsu, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower went before the nation with this radio-television address. The President strongly reaffirmed the U.S. support of Taiwan leader Chiang Kai-shek, noting; "Some misguided persons have said that Quemoy is nothing to become excited about." Eisenhower warned that the Red Chinese were using the attacks on the islands to test the free world's courage in resisting aggression.