Foreign Relations of the United States, 1945–1950, Emergence of the Intelligence Establishment

115. Letter From the Director of Central Intelligence (Vandenberg) to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Hoover)⁰

Washington, July 19, 1946.

My Dear Mr. Hoover: I acknowledge receipt of your letters of July 8¹ and July 15, 1946.²

I appreciate very much your offer of assistance and the suggestion that we work out immediately a program for the transfer of secret intelligence responsibilities in Central and South America. Accordingly, I designated certain officials, who have conferred with Mr. E.A. Tamm on 18 July, to discuss the general policies for this transfer, the details of which will be developed in subsequent conferences.³ It is understood that Mr. Tamm will furnish the names of your representatives, and designate the time when these conferences can commence.

In the discharge of its intelligence functions, FBI has acquired many advantages which will facilitate uninterrupted continuance of intelligence operations. Since our immediate aim is to relieve FBI at the earliest possible date, I believe it essential that the accomplishments of FBI in gathering intelligence information, and administrative facilities be made available to CIG insofar as is practicable. With this principle, I am certain that I have your agreement and cooperation.

Since FBI has the authority and responsibility to conduct intelligence operations in this area until June 30, 1947, unless previously relieved by CIG, I recommend that your field staff be maintained at the level you determine necessary for operations until we advise that withdrawal is feasible. As agreed, I have designated representatives who will study existing FBI coverage and collaborate with your own officials in devising an orderly detailed plan for transfer. It is my recommendation that FBI personnel should remain at each field station for a time after the arrival of my representatives in order that the successors may enjoy the benefits of the Bureau’s experience in each country.

Copies of intelligence reports in the field and in Washington, prepared by the FBI, would be of the greatest value to CIG. It was agreed that field reports would be turned over to my representatives. I am confident that specific reports in your Washington Office will be made available to me whenever we consider it necessary. Our field officers should also be acquainted by your special agents with local contacts and sources of information which you have developed, and arrangements worked out for possible further utilization of these persons. Your advice on the handling of such informants, and safeguards against untrustworthy individuals, will be greatly appreciated. It is understood that these details are agreeable to you.

Administrative facilities now existing in the field will be of considerable advantage to the continuance of operations. I refer to office furniture and equipment, vehicles, radio communication apparatus, and the like. To replace such equipment would entail delay which would be difficult to justify. It is understood that such a transfer is agreeable to you except in the case of photographic equipment, and I concur in your retention of this apparatus. I will also arrange replacement in kind locally for the radio communication apparatus which you will leave in the various stations, as agreed upon.

With regard to your letter of July 15, 1946, I request that you reconsider the withdrawal of your personnel in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. It would be most unfortunate to leave these posts vacant even for a short time. I am sure our representatives can devise an early relief for these particular posts and I am confident you will agree to this.

In outlining the general policies and agreements herein, I have stressed the principle of orderly withdrawal without hiatus, bearing in mind our several responsibilities to the Government in this important work. You and your representatives have been most cooperative and I desire to express my sincere appreciation.

With all good wishes,

Sincerely yours,

Hoyt S. Vandenberg ⁴

Lieutenant General, USA

0. Source: Central Intelligence Agency Historical Files, HS/CSG–2227, Job 83–00739R, Box 2, Folder 3. Top Secret. The letter is dated July 19, 1946, which has been changed by hand to July 22. The latter date, in turn, has been annotated by hand, “must be [July] 19.”
1. Not found, but quoted in full in a July 22 memorandum from Ladd to Hoover; see footnote 1, Document 113.
2. Not found.
3. See the July 18 memorandum from Galloway to Vandenberg and a July 17 memorandum from Galloway to Tamm (both in Central Intelligence Agency Files, HS/CSG–2227, Job 83–00739R, Box 2, Folder 3) in the Supplement.
4. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.