811B.20/6–744
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The Joint Chiefs of Staff have given careful consideration to an undated letter55 addressed to them by the Director, Office of European Affairs, Department of State, with [Page 1265] reference to planning assumptions for United States civil affairs in Pacific Ocean Areas, with certain suggested amendments to the paper which the Joint Chiefs of Staff prepared on this subject.
The statement in paragraph 2 of the original paper—”In the Philippine Islands administration of civil affairs shall be a United States responsibility”—in no way precludes the making of some arrangements between the United States and the Philippine Commonwealth Government, should it develop that such arrangements would be desirable. To eliminate any doubt upon the subject, however, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have amended the assumption in such a way as to make this point clear.
With reference to paragraph 8, which deals with China, the Joint Chiefs of Staff wish to point out that it is their wish that no part of the planning assumptions should be divulged to any persons or agencies save appropriate United States agencies. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have amended this paragraph to read as follows:
“In China, in combat zones occupied by forces under United States command, the United States should be prepared to assume such responsibility for civil affairs administration as is considered necessary by the U.S. commander. 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.”
The Joint Chiefs of Staff assume that the Island of Hainan is considered an integral part of China proper by the United Nations. It is therefore unnecessary to make separate or special mention of this island in planning assumptions.
The reasons which caused the Japanese to incorporate the Bokoto or Pescadores into the administrative system of Formosa would have no bearing upon the situation in the event of the occupation of these areas by United States forces. During the period of occupation by U.S. forces, the civil affairs problems which are likely to arise in the Pescadores are completely different from those to be expected in Formosa. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, therefore, see no reason why the military government of the Pescadores and Formosa should necessarily be united, though the presently accepted planning assumptions would not prevent this union if it were found advisable by the U.S. commander.
Sincerely yours,
Admiral, U.S. Navy Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
- May 27, supra. ↩