890.0146/14
The Secretary of State to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Attention: Colonel A. J. McFarland, Secretary
Dear Sirs: This will acknowledge and thank you for your letter of May 14 enclosing a copy of a paper entitled “Assumptions for Planning [Page 1264] for Civil Affairs for the Period of Military Occupation.” This paper has been carefully considered in the Department and we should like to submit the following comments, the paragraph numbers corresponding to the numbered paragraphs of the paper under reference:
2. It is assumed that this statement will not preclude the making of some arrangements between the United States and the Philippine Commonwealth Government with regard to civil affairs administration should it develop that such arrangements would be desirable.
8. It is believed that the phrasing of this paragraph might be misconstrued by the Chinese in the event that it were to become known to them. It is therefore suggested that, if agreeable to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this paragraph be revised to read substantially as follows:
“8. In China, in combat zones occupied by forces under United States Command, the United States should be prepared to assume full responsibility for civil affairs administration. It is contemplated that Chinese personnel will be used in such zones to the extent permitted by the exigencies of the military situation and that total administration will be Chinese as soon as military expediency permits.”
It will be noted that the above language is in line with that used in paragraph 9 relative to the Netherlands Indies.
It is noted that no reference is made to Hainan, although in the earlier drafts of this document Hainan was specifically mentioned in the paragraph on China. It is assumed that the omission is not intended to indicate a change in the proposed treatment, but that Hainan is construed to be a part of China and therefore subject to the provisions of paragraph 8.
13 and 14. These paragraphs indicate a possibly different treatment for the Pescadores and Formosa. Administratively, the Pescadores are part of Formosa and it would seem logical that under military government this unity should continue.
Very truly yours,
Director, Office of European Affairs