740.0011 Pacific War/1877
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War ( Stimson )
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to Mr. McCloy’s letter of January 28 to Mr. Acheson enclosing a memorandum sent to Mr. McCloy by the War Plans Division covering the inquiry that was made by Dr. T. V. Soong as to the attitude of the War Department with reference to the question of the invasion of French Indochina by Chinese forces.
From point of view of our relations with France, there is no reason which would cause this Department to interpose objection to any such movement by Chinese forces. From point of view of our relations with China, this Department is of the opinion that indications by the Chinese of a desire to operate against the Japanese in Indochina should not be discouraged.
In order to avoid any possibility of hurting Chinese susceptibilities, it is suggested that the War Department, in any comments it might make to Dr. Soong in the matter, might care to stress the fact that Chiang Kai-shek is commander of an area which includes Indochina.
There is enclosed for your information and consideration a memorandum prepared under date February 4 by an officer of this Department15 on the subject “French Indochina: Political and Military Strategy: Certain Considerations”.
The memorandum of the War Plans Divisions is returned herewith.
Sincerely yours,
- Supra.↩