893.50 Recovery/8–1549
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of Defense (Johnson)
Dear Mr. Secretary: Attached is a copy of a letter from the Chinese Ambassador, dated August 15, 1949,6 with accompanying memoranda, requesting United States military and economic assistance.
These memoranda raise certain specific questions which require consideration. In general they may well be included in the study which the National Security Council, on your initiative, is making of the broad aspects of policy in Asia. They would also be involved in the review of our foreign policy in the area which, as you know, the Department of State with the assistance of a small group of consultants has already undertaken. In view, however, of the context in which these questions are raised by the letter from the Chinese Ambassador, it would be helpful if the Department of State could receive as soon as possible the comments of the National Military Establishment on the Chinese proposals for a program of further military assistance.
Sincerely yours,