Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Thomas B. McCabe to Mr. H. Wendell Endicott
25604. Reference your [my?] cable March 890 and Johnson’s reply March 9 concerning Admiral Mar deal. Urge that you and Benno Schmidt91 examine closely draft of contract for the sale of the dockyard equipment as being conveyed personally by Major Bell. If there is any question about desirability of the transaction then I suggest that you make appointment with General Marshall after arriving in Washington at end of this week and obtain first hand his views as I did in Tokyo day before yesterday. If proposed contract is legal then I would urge its confirmation, with any changes in draft which Benno Schmidt thinks desirable. If it requires broad interpretation of Surplus Property Act92 and Benno Schmidt sees no objection to my assuming such broad authority, I am willing to concur in recommendation of General Marshall, Admiral Cooke, Howard and Johnson, as expressed in the proposed draft. Admiral Mar reports that Navy Bureau of Docks have his list of requirements and will make available items required and will ship them to Shanghai as surplus property.