740.00119 P.W./5–2945
Memorandum by the Acting Chairman of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee, to the Secretary of State
Washington, 29 May
1945.
On 28 May 1945 the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee concluded that the political policy of the United States with respect to China is as set forth in the enclosure.46 The Committee also approved the following conclusions as to post-war military policies with respect to China:
- a.
- No commitment looking toward the implementation of a military policy of assisting the Chinese Government to create and maintain [Page 117] a modern post-war army and air force should be made until the interested Departments of the United States Government have been consulted and have expressed opinion that certain necessary political and economic conditions have been fulfilled by the Chinese Government.
- b.
- Any question arising relative to United States assistance in the
establishment and maintenance of post-war military establishments in
a foreign country should be resolved not only in the light of the
United States policy vis-à-vis that particular country, but also in
the light of United States policy relative to the regulation of
armaments in the post-war era as indicated by its support of the
Dumbarton Oaks Proposals. This government’s conception of what
armament any nation seeking assistance from the United States will
need should be measured in terms of and should be limited to:
- (1)
- That nation’s commitment to place contingents of armed force at the disposal of the International Organization, and,
- (2)
- The requirements for the maintenance of internal law and order.
- c.
- No legislative authority presently exists pursuant to which arms, ammunition and implements of war may be transferred to a foreign government, except for compensatory payment or transfer of other property, when such arms, ammunition and implements of war are to be used by the foreign government solely to augment its post-war military establishment.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have advised the Committee that they perceive no objection to these conclusions from the military point of view.
For the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee:
H. Freeman Matthews