103.918/7–3144: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
1023. The Department has discussed with the IDC the report made in your 1232, July 17, 3 p.m. with following results.
American Publications Service will continue to function under civilian direction. If Kates’ difficulties with his principals in Washington cannot be resolved he will be replaced by another civilian who will have the same relationship to the Embassy and will operate in the same manner. Both the Department and the IDC consider it undesirable to have the project in charge of OSS or military personnel.
To insure the acquisition of publications from areas of active military operations IDC is considering the possibility of having an overall representative for the Far East attached to the staff of the OSS in New Delhi operating directly under the CBI command. This will enable agents to move forward with the military forces into regions where there is no Foreign Service or other civilian representation. This over-all representative might occasionally request the IDC agent in Chungking to try to obtain certain publications, but would exercise no administrative supervision over him and requests for material would be forwarded through the Missions in New Delhi and Chungking. In all other respects the APS would be supervised directly from Washington. Please state whether you perceive any objection to this proposal.