790.5/1–1651
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of Defense (Marshall)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: In reply to your letter of January 16 concerning the desirability of commencing military conversations with the British and French Governments on the subject of Southeast Asia, I believe the United States Government’s commitment to hold these conversations undertaken during the course of the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings in New York, constitutes, as a practical matter, an overriding political consideration. Accordingly, the Department of State hopes that the Department of Defense will find it possible to initiate these discussions as soon as possible. As the Joint Chiefs are aware, the Department believes that Mr. Pleven, during the course of his conversations with President Truman, will ask for the United States decision in this matter.
Sincerely yours,