795B.5/6–2251

The Secretary of Defense (Marshall) to the Secretary of State

top secret

Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to your letter of June 19th concerning additional ground force contingents from other United Nations Members for service in Korea.

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The Joint Chiefs of Staff now have under review the question of whether an increase in the United Kingdom contribution is now possible, as well as the matter of pressing the other NATO countries to furnish additional troops for use in Korea. Their re-examination of this matter is expected to be concluded in the near future.

As soon as these views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff become available I have asked the Secretary of the Army to undertake discussions with you on the subject. In the meantime, this Department concurs in the dispatch of your proposed message to the Secretary General of the United Nations asking him to address another appeal for contributions of ground forces to the United Nations Members that have not yet contributed armed forces in the Korean conflict.

Faithfully yours,

G. C. Marshall