711.93/2–2747
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy ( Forrestal )
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Thank you for your letter of February 27, 1947, in regard our sending a mission to China composed of men with practical knowledge in the field of government, finance, banking, production, transportation and agriculture.
I am in full accord with the idea and hope that conditions in China may soon make it worthwhile to put it into practice. However, until we are in a position to extend substantial credits to the Chinese I do not think it would be realistic to send such a mission. In this connection your attention is invited to the final paragraph of the enclosed [Page 809] copy of my letter52 in reply to a recent letter from Secretary Patterson,53 copy of which is also enclosed.
Sincerely,