893.61A/12–3046
The Secretary of Agriculture (Anderson) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to Assistant Secretary Benton’s letter of March 20 and my reply to you of April 142 in respect to the request of the National Government of China for the assistance of American agricultural specialists to advise the Chinese Government on specific agricultural problems.
Subsequent action resulted in the formation of a joint China–United States Agricultural Mission made up of an American section with Dean C. B. Hutchison as chairman, and a Chinese section with Dr. P. W. Tsou as chairman. This joint mission started work in China on June 27 and completed its studies and report on November 16.
In compliance with Washington cable No. 942 of October 28,43 copies of the joint report, signed by Dean Hutchison and Dr. Tsou, were presented to President Chiang Kai-shek, Dr. T. V. Soong, and Dr. Y. T. Tsur, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; and to Ambassador Stewart [Stuart] and General Marshall. Two copies were brought to Washington by Dean Hutchison, one of which he handed to President Truman; the other was retained in this Department for replication.
It is my understanding that the two Governments have agreed that the report will be released simultaneously upon a date to be arrived at after each Government has had an opportunity to study it. In order to expedite the study on the part of this Government, two copies of the report were informally delivered to Mr. Vincent, Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs, and Mr. William Stone, Director of the Office of International Information and Cultural Affairs. A further copy is transmitted herewith.
The report has been studied in the Department of Agriculture and we perceive no objection to its release after consultation with the Chinese Government.
Sincerely yours,