893.61A/6–1846: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in China

322. Following text of letter dated June 17, 1946 addressed to “His Excellency Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China, Nanking, China” by the President is being sent by June 19 air mail pouch.35

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“My dear President Chiang: I am happy to inform you that in response to the request of the National Government of the Republic of China this Government is sending to China a group of eight agricultural specialists under the leadership of Dean C. B. Hutchison to work jointly with agricultural leaders appointed by the Government of China on problems relating to the development of China’s agriculture. This mission will be ready to leave for China the latter part of June. A list of its members is attached.

“I am pleased that this arrangement is to be carried out because it is my firm belief that any plan for cooperation in economic development between our two countries should include agriculture, the major source of income for such a great proportion of China’s population. In the experience of the United States, agricultural improvement has been found so important in promoting security, producing industrial raw materials, providing markets for industrial products, and raising the level of living that we believe a successful national development cannot be assured unless the development of agriculture proceeds simultaneously with the development of other elements in the national economy.

“While we hope that our agriculturists on this mission may be able to render substantial service toward the betterment of China’s farming, we also are aware that our own agriculture is already indebted to your country for valuable agricultural material which has been introduced into the United States. Moreover, we still have much to learn from Chinese agriculture.

“A higher level of living for the whole of China’s population, which can hardly be achieved without a strong development of agriculture, is the necessary foundation for the achievement of results that will benefit both of our countries, including an expansion of complementary trade and the development of China’s industrial program.

“It is in this spirit of sharing in an endeavor of great potential value to our two countries that the American members of this mission are visiting your country. I shall receive with interest the report of this group.

“I am asking General of the Army George C. Marshall to deliver this letter in person. I wish to convey with it an expression of my warm personal regards to you and the continuing interest of our people in the welfare of your country. Very sincerely yours, Harry Truman.”

List of personnel of mission as follows:

“Dr. C. B. Hutchison, Dean, College of Agriculture, University of California, Berkeley, California.

“Mr. Charles E. Seitz, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Blacksburg, Virginia.

“Mr. Charles J. Huber, 609 Belvidere Avenue, Plainfield, New Jersey.

“Dr. Robert H. Burns, College of Agriculture, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.

“Dr. Harley L. Crane, Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils and Agricultural Engineering, Beltsville, Maryland.

“Dr. J. Lossing Buck, Office of Foreign Agricultural Relations, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

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“Dr. Raymond T. Moyer, Office of Foreign Agricultural Relations, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

“Dr. H. C. M. Case, Head, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

“Miss Merle Lucille Arras, Office of Foreign Agricultural Relations, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

“Mr. B. L. Hummel and Mr. R. A. Nesbit now in China with UNRRA.”

Since letter may reach China after arrival of mission Emb (or Gen Marshall if he so desires) is requested to present copy of telegraphed text to Generalissimo. Also make copies available to Commercial and Agricultural Attachés36 Shanghai.

Acheson
  1. Instruction No. 613, June 19, to the Embassy in China, not printed.
  2. A. Bland Calder and Owen L. Dawson.