893.20 Mission/4–1546
General Marshall to Congressman Andrew J. May 39
My Dear Mr. May: I had hoped to be able to discuss with you personally the importance to my mission in China of the Military Missions Bill (HR5433) and the companion Senate measure (S1847).40 The necessity for my return to China requires that I furnish you my views by letter.
The integration of the armed forces presently maintained by the Nationalist Government and the Communist Party in China and their reduction to an appropriate peace-time size is essential to the attainment of the peace, unity, and stability in China which are so necessary to the security of the United States. I believe that the prompt provision to China of the Military Advisory Group of American Army and Navy personnel, which the Generalissimo has requested, is vital to the success of the program.
As a temporary expedient I have been able to provide some assistance by the use of some American personnel now in China. However, the longer term help necessary to enable China to carry out its program can be provided only under the authority of the type contemplated in HR5433 and S1847.
It is most desirable that we be able to formalize our arrangements to provide this assistance to the Chinese at the earliest possible date. To this end any practicable way in which consideration of the enabling legislation by the Congress may be expedited will be most helpful.
I am sending a similar letter to Senator Thomas.
Faithfully yours,
- Chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee.↩
- A bill providing for the detail of United States military and naval missions to foreign governments, introduced on February 8 by Congressman May (Kentucky); its companion bill S. 1847 was introduced on February 18 by Senator Elbert D. Thomas (Utah), Chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee; see Congressional Record, vol. 92, pt. 1, pp. 1191, 1383, 2389, and pt. 3, p. 3832.↩