Word: formosae
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When President Eisenhower committed the United States to the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores, even at the cost of war with Communist China, he revived a Constitutional problem virtually as old as the nation, the issue of war-making power. Ever since the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, political theorists and politicians alike have attempted to determine the exact legal processes necessary to bring the United States into a state of war with a foreign power. On the theoretical level, the question is as unresolved as ever. But the President's recent decision represents the latest answer on the level...
President Eisenhower's decisions to request a Congressional resolution supporting military action in defense of Formosa represents an apparent departure from the tradition of Executive power. Eisenhower was careful to state his belief that only some, not all, of the actions for which he requested approval, were inherent in his power as Commander-in-Chief. He seemed almost anxious to admit the possibility of Congressional limitations on his powers in such matters, and attitude which not many American Presidents have shown. Unquestionably Eisenhower would hope to gain prior Congressional authorization before undertaking any serious military action anywhere in the world...
...President also made it clear that he is perfectly willing to order American forces into battle without a previous Congressional vote, if the interests of national security should demand it in an emergency. Thus his request for Congressional approval of his Formosa proposal does not represent a real change from the historical trend establishing the Executive's war making powers. Like his predecessors, Eisenhower realizes that whatever the Constitution says, wars are not usually declared in advance...
Being thus convinced that the U.S. meant to neutralize Formosa, Pearson proceeded to envision the next steps. President Eisenhower, he said, had promised to "remain faithful to our obligations as a member of the United Nations." Pearson took that to mean that the U.S. would ask the U.N. to arrange a cease-fire in the Formosa area, and that while the future of the disputed island was being decided. Formosa would come under some sort of U.N. surveillance, similar to that put into effect in Palestine and Indonesia while disputes were being settled there. This would, of course, bring Communist...
...Pals. In Taipei, Formosa, hoping to get rich on stamps, Chao Chun, 31, placed a newspaper ad reading, "Attractive widow of 25, high-school graduate, seeks husband; send photo, personal history and stamps for reply," got 5,000 bids, was finally turned over to police when disgruntled suitors came around to see why they were receiving no replies...