Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file
Memorandum by the President to the Secretary of State
Subject:
- Assistance to Korea
As I see it, there will be many ways in which help, during the coming months, can be rendered to the Republic of Korea.
- (a).
- We are committed to a policy of helping to train, equip and organize at least four more divisions, and to give some help in organizing other forms of military units.
- (b).
- The MSA Bill will contain some funds for direct help of that country.
- (c).
- We expect the Congress to authorize the use of some two hundred million dollars out of savings brought about by the cessation of hostilities to help in economic rehabilitation.
- (d).
- With the cessation of fighting, there will be available in Korea certain technical formations of the Army, Navy and the Air Force, whose services as technical advisers, overseers, and in certain cases, actual constructors of needed facilities, would be invaluable. The cost will be little, because in any case we must maintain these troops in that region so long as we must keep fighting divisions there. I speak of the various classes of engineers, single [signal] troops, quartermaster troops, motor vehicle experts, medical organization, and so on. In many ways help rendered in this fashion could be almost more valuable than under any other authorization, and certainly will be important enough to indicate at once the vital need for real coordination.
I believe a way to secure coordination would be to put this whole business under the authority of the theatre commander. Because of the special political and psychological conditions existing in Korea, there is added reason not only for doing this through a single office, but of charging the military with this responsibility.
[Page 1447]If you think well of this idea, I believe we should promptly have a conference between you, Stassen and Wilson—and any others directly concerned. We could have it in my office, at your convenience.1