811.22793/2–1246
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War (Patterson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The Assistant Chief of Staff, G–4, War Department General Staff, sent to this Department for comment a memorandum addressed by Acting Secretary of War, Kenneth C. Royall, to Admiral William B. Leahy,96 transmitting a draft letter [Page 770] for the President’s signature which would authorize continuance of the Chinese Air Force Training Program under lend-lease. These documents have been returned to the Assistant Chief of Staff.
In view of the President’s memorandum of January 19, 1946 to the Secretaries of War and Navy97 outlining the policy of this Government with respect to lend-lease aid to the Government of China after March 2, 1946, it appears that it is no longer necessary to submit to the President the draft letter attached to the above mentioned memorandum.
In accordance with the President’s memorandum of January 19, 1946, vesting in the Secretary of State the authority to extend the period for providing lend-lease aid to China, and in accordance with this Government’s policy regarding military assistance to China and the exchange of messages in November, 1945 between the President and the Generalissimo,98 I hereby authorize the War Department to continue the Chinese Air Force Training Program for approximately 2,300 students already in the United States and 1,280 students still in China for a period extending not later than May 1, 1947. The Chinese Government will bear the expense of this continued program under terms of an agreement to be concluded with that Government.
To enable this Department to conclude such an agreement with the Chinese Government at the earliest possible date, it would be very much appreciated if the War Department would provide an estimate of the probable cost of the program.
Sincerely yours,