893.20 Mission/9–1045: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Hurley)
1444. Please deliver to Chiang Kai-shek the following message responsive to your 1562, September 10, 8 p.m.:
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Military Council of the National Government of the Republic of China: I have received your message in regard to an American military advisory board in China. I discussed this matter with Premier Soong on September 7 and assured him that American military personnel could and would be furnished in an advisory capacity. I informed him that the form and extent in which such personnel might be available was now being given consideration by officials of the American Government, and in this connection told him that I considered worthy of careful exploration the thought that it might be more desirable to release officers from active duty at the request of the Chinese Government for appointment by the Chinese Government rather than for this Government to organize and appoint such a group.
I appreciate your estimate of General Wedemeyer and have taken note of your desire that he head a military advisory group to China.
Please be assured, my dear Generalissimo, that I am most anxious to be helpful to China in all appropriate and practicable ways. Harry S. Truman.