Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Colonel Marshall S. Carter to General Marshall
85181. Reur 1726.85 Consideration of the Aid to China Bill can be deferred without priority being forfeited. When the bill has been introduced it will probably be referred to House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees. The Chairmen of these two committees will probably be Senator Vandenberg and Representative Eaton, both of whom I am sure will cooperate 100 percent with your desires and who should be able to control the timing of final consideration on the floor. However, once the bill has been introduced, even though it is referred to Committee, it is public property and takes its place on the calendar, from which it can be attacked at any time on the floor by opponents, even though it is not up for final consideration. Likewise, if committee hearings are open, considerable publicity will probably ensue in same manner as before.
The priority and pressure to be exerted by War and State Departments will depend entirely upon your wishes.
It would, therefore, be desirable not to introduce the proposed legislation until the time is ripe to exert pressure for its passage. This action is the only safeguard to avoid attacks at a time when we may be ill prepared to withstand them.
Accordingly in the absence of further instructions, I will take necessary action to request War and State Departments to prepare all of the necessary papers for introduction and consideration of the bill at the proper time, but not propose the legislation to the Congress until such time as you indicate.86