DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: January 9, 1951
SUBJECT: Congressional Attitudes Concerning Our Legislative Program
PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary Honorable James P. Richards, House of Representatives Jack K. McFall
Congressman Richards called on me at his request.
As a preface to the conversation the Congressman stated that while he had not always agreed with me and the Department, as regards policies, he thought at this time a conversation might be helpful, to see if it would be possible to reach the widest area of agreement. He said he wanted just to talk with me, informing me not only about his attitudes but those he finds reflected in conversation with other members of Congress, and to place before me warning flags as to what we must contend with in terms of Congressional attitudes which might seriously affect our legislative program. He said he felt there were a few small things that we could do-small in terms of the whole-but in the doing of which we could reap large dividends as regards insuring the support of our major legislative program.
The Congressman first asked me about the question which, he said, was on the lips of a large number of Congressman, namely, why don't we instigate a large program of stirring up guerilla activity on the Chinese mainland. I explained to him that the problem was a difficult one but that we are deeply conscious of the need for doing everything we can to stir up discontent with the present regime in China and to give what measure of aid and comfort to the guerillas as might be found feasible. I pointed out to him that there are covert activities underway which are essentially of a top secret character but that he could rest assured we are looking into every possible avenue of approach. I told him that the
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guerilla activity is centered exclusively south of the Yantze River and that the movement, in the main, is without any centralized direction and is composed of three major groups: (1) those who welcomed the advent of the communist government but who, having resented being taken into the army, deserted and now actively oppose the government; (2) the Chinese war lords, each operating independently and who maintain a belligerent following that oppose the existing regime; (3) ex-Nationalists soldiers who have either deserted the communist army or who avoided impressments into service and who likewise resort to guerilla-type activity. I explained that because of the heterogeneous character of the groups and the difficulties of transportation and communication, we see no immediate way of getting them together under any form of leadership, but that nonetheless we are working out means to insure a measure of support to them in order that they might continue their disruptive influences. The Congressman at this point asked me whether we had sufficient money to carry on the activities we deemed essential and I told him that the money question was not pressing at the moment, although it might be, at a later date, we would have to solicit additional financial support. Mr. Richards stated he was confident Congress would give us whatever we needed, both in form and amount for this character of activity.
Congressman Richards next expressed his concern about the unwillingness of the European people to get behind the wheel and to do the things necessary from a military standpoint to deserve the support we might give them. He told me that he felt the success of the legislative program depended in a large measure upon the developments on this score the next six weeks to two months, and that unless there was real evidence of a desire on the part of our European allies to accept their military responsibilities in a firm and fixed way that he despaired of Congress giving required financial support to our common efforts. I then explained to him that I had taken that same position at the Brussels conference, that I had made it clear we must proceed immediately from the planning stage to the stage of action, and that I share fully his apprehensions about the need for proof in being that our European allies are going to work with us to the limit of their military and financial abilities.
Next the Congressman pointed out that he was gravely disturbed at the lack of any action having been taken by the Executive on the matter of actually granting loans to Spain under the direction contained in the legislation of the last session. He mentioned this as being one of the relatively small things which, if accomplished, he felt would go a long way toward swinging over a large measure of support to our legislative program. I explained to him that just within the past week we have finally come to an agreement on this subject which will mean that within a very few days some loans will be made by the Export-Import Bank in favor of Spanish applicants. I pointed out that while the existing area of agreement involved only about $12 million covering cotton, fertilizers, and tractors, that this by no means meant the conclusion of the program and that we would continue to review all possibilities of making loans which in the opinion of the Export-Import Bank held some reasonable chance for repayment. The Congressman seemed very pleased to have this word and assured me that the announcement of this fact would bring about a much better feeling on the part of many members of Congress about the Administration's policy.
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Following this discussion on substantive matters the Congressman stated he would like to know my reaction to several suggestions made to him about the wisdom of some of the Foreign Affairs Committee members going to Europe to make an on-the-spot check of prevailing sentiments and attitudes and to get the feel of our programming in that area. I told him that such a project seemed to me to be quite feasible and that we had always encouraged Members of Congress going into the field to get firsthand knowledge of what our Government was doing abroad. I emphasized that the Department felt it gained a great advantage in having Members of Congress discuss our foreign policies and programs who have actually seen them in operation in various world areas.
Concluding the discussion the Congressman told me he felt it would be a splendid move on my part if I found it possible to attend the inauguration of Governor Byrnes in South Carolina. I told him it would not be possible for me to go but I would discuss the matter with Mr. McFall with a view to seeing whether some other high official of the Department might find it possible to attend. (Subsequently Under Secretary Webb indicated his intention to attend the inauguration ceremonies.)
I thanked Congressman Richards for his thoughtfulness in coming up to see me and talking so frankly about his views, and I expressed my appreciation for his helpful attitude.
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