CABINET MEETING, FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1949
10 am
Barkley
Paul Hoffman
Lovett for Marshall
All others present
THE PRESIDENT
Asked Lovett to discuss aid program for China.
LOVETT
Gave brief outline of general situation and asked Hoffman to give details affecting interim period between Nationalist and Communist regimes.
HOFFMAN
One problem is if the Nationalist Govt is whether to send flour and other essentials into areas we know will soon be in the hands of Communists. If we do ship to these areas the Communists will be required
(1) to protect safety of our personnel;
(2) continue to have American supervision of aid furnished by the U. S. in Communist areas.
Hoffman recommends that this be done if request is made by the Nationalist Govt. As flour is in China and if we do not do this what can we do with flour which is already on the ground.
THE PRESIDENT
Gave his impression of political & economic situation in China.
THE PRESIDENT
We can't be in a position of making any deal with a Communist regime.
FORRESTAL, SNYDER, CLARK, KRUG, SAWYER, FLEMING, BARKLEY, STEELMAN & TOBIN agree.
TOBIN
Thinks matter of feeding 5 cities is trivial - the whole of Asia is at stake.
BRANNAN
Agrees.
DONALDSON
Agrees.
THE PRESIDENT
Asked for views with respect to creation of a committee - State, Defense and others to study German problems.
This was agreed to.
11:10 AM