811.003 Wallace, Henry A./41

Vice President Wallace to the Secretary of State

Dear Secretary Hull: You will recall our telephone conversation of some two weeks ago in regard to the President’s proposal that I visit China in the late spring or early summer. I appreciate the opportunity you gave me to have a talk with Joseph Ballantine on the subject. He was quite helpful. I have also had a chance informal conversation with John Carter Vincent.9

It occurs to me that, if I make the trip, I should find it most advantageous to have someone with me familiar with China and the Chinese—someone with recent experience in China who knows the present Chinese scene and official personalities; who “knows his way about” and can give me valuable guidance.

I appreciate that you have qualified officers now stationed in China but, if you can possibly spare an officer from the Department to accompany me, I should very much appreciate your kindness and I am sure that I should benefit from having him with me on the trip as well as during my stay in China.

Sincerely yours,

H. A. Wallace

P. S. I still remember with gratitude Larry Duggan’s fine services on the occasion of my South American trip.10

  1. Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs.
  2. In 1943 the Vice President, accompanied by Laurence Duggan, at that time Adviser on Political Relations, made official visits to the Governments of Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru.