810.20 Defense/11–147
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of Defense ( Forrestal )
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I refer to your letter of November 1, 1947 to the Secretary of State41 concerning draft legislation of particular interest to the National Military Establishment, namely, the Military and Naval Missions Bill (H. R. 2313 and S. 759, 80th Congress) the [Page 129] Inter-American Military Cooperation Act (H. R. 3836, 80th Congress) and the bill to provide military advice and assistance to the Republic of China (H. R. 6795 and S. 2337, 79th Congress).
The Military and Naval Missions Bill which was reported out of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and which the Secretary supported in an appearance before both Committees will be supported as urgent legislation by the Department of State. As you know, existing legislation authorizes the retention of military missions in certain countries “during war or a declared national emergency”. Since this is a tenuous ground upon which to rest important military missions abroad, I am most anxious that the Military and Naval Missions Bill be acted upon favorably at this session of the Congress. Mr. Satterthwaite of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs of the Department42 will be glad to discuss with representatives of your Departments the minor revisions that may be necessary to make the legislation consistent with the terms of the National Security Act of 1947.
The Department of State will urge the enactment of the Inter-American Military Cooperation Act during the forthcoming session of the Congress. This legislation as you know is consistent with the agreements reached at Rio during the past summer. The amendments to which you refer should be discussed with Mr. Swett43 in the Office of Assistant Secretary Saltzman or with Mr. Marcy in the Office of the Counselor in the Department of State.44
[Here follows information on legislation for military aid to China.]
Sincerely yours,