Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Far East, China, Volume VII

893.30 Missions/8–2745

The Secretary of the Navy (Forrestal) to the Secretary of State

Washington, 27 August 1945.

Dear Mr. Secretary: Herewith enclosed is a copy of a letter handed me today by Mr. T. V. Soong, President of the Executive Yuan of the National Government of the Republic of China.

On 24 August I sent to the President proposed enabling legislation for assisting the Chinese Government to create a post-war Navy and for a United States Naval Mission to guide it. The enclosed letter constitutes a formal request for this assistance from the Chinese.

Sincerely yours,

James Forrestal

[Enclosure]

The President of the Chinese Executive Yuan (Soong) to the Secretary of the Navy (Forrestal)

Washington, 27 August 1945.

Dear Mr. Secretary: I am asked by President Chiang Kai-shek to request the United States Government to dispatch as soon as possible a Naval Mission to China for the purpose of assisting her in planning and organizing her naval forces.

In this connection, if the request proves acceptable to the United States Government, I am asked to draw the attention of yourself and Fleet Admiral E. J. King to the really outstanding work of Rear Admiral Milton E. Miles, Captain J. C. Metzel, and Captain I. F. Beyerly in the Friendship Project in China,¹⁹ and to express the hope that these capable and tried officers be included in the Naval Mission.

Thanking you for your kind attention [etc.],

T. V. Soong

19. Sino-American Special Technical Cooperation under the U. S. Naval Group in China.