The attached memorandum by the Chairman, National Security Resources Board,
together with its two enclosures1 is submitted
herewith
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for consideration by the
National Security Council and for discussion at its next regular meeting of
the proposal by the Chairman, National Security Resources Board, “that the
National Security Council assume the responsibility for developing
integrated basic security resources assumptions and that after their
development, the President be advised of their contents and informed that
they will be subject to periodic review and revision”.2
[Annex]
The Chairman of the National Security Resources
Board (Hill) to the Executive Secretary
of the National Security Council (Souers)
[Washington,] October 12, 1948.
My Dear Admiral Souers: During the past
several months, considerable effort has been devoted to determining the
best means of securing integrated basic security resources assumptions
for mobilization planning in the politico-military and in the domestic
and foreign economic fields. Such basic security resources assumptions
constitute a prerequisite for the National Security Resources Board’s
mobilization planning. Urgency in this matter stems from the generally
accepted assumption that there will be a continuation of the present
uncertainties of neither war nor peace, and war with the USSR, if not a
probability, is a definite risk. Predicated upon such an assumption,
this Board is currently engaged in the preparation of an Emergency
Mobilization Plan for 1949, to be completed by December of this
year.
The broad comprehensive judgment and knowledge essential to the
preparation of integrated assumptions with their complex and
interrelated facets, does not appear to be within the capabilities of
any single governmental agency. However, using the competence of all
appropriate agencies, under carefully conceived sponsorship and
monitorship, I believe the assembling of basic security resources
assumptions can be accomplished and should be attempted. It must,
however, be a continuing operation subject to periodic review and
[Page 638]
revision and closely attuned
to the constantly changing pattern of national and international
events.
In exploring the means of best formulating basic security resources
assumptions, there have been informal discussions with several of the
agencies concerned. As a result of these discussions, the attached
outlines have been developed on the basis that: The National Security
Council could monitor the politico-military assumptions; the National
Security Resources Board could monitor the economic assumptions; and,
the National Security Council could provide the overall sponsorship and
monitorship required for integration.
Formulation of assumptions within the exact framework of the enclosed
outlines is neither intended nor implied. These outlines have been
developed only as a tentative framework, within which assumptions would
be valuable. Amplification, supporting comment, and elaboration are
believed essential. It is particularly desirable for mobilization
planning purposes that U.S. objectives or positions, where appropriate,
and known facts and estimated factors in the various fields, be clearly
stated as a point of departure for assumptions.
Actually, the NSC 20 series will provide
the basis for many of the answers required. Also, the rently completed
Joint Chiefs of Staff strategic plan—part of which has been made
available to me—should be helpful in providing a basis for answers in
the military field. This Board, with the assistance of the several
departments represented thereon, together with the Council of Economic
Advisers, the Economic Cooperation Administration, and the Bureau of the
Budget, can provide the domestic and foreign economic portions of the
outlines.
I therefore propose that the National Security Council assume the
responsibility for developing integrated basic security resources
assumptions and that after their development, the President be advised
of their contents and informed that they will be subject to periodic
review and revision.
Sincerely yours,
