March 3, 1949
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation of Secretary Acheson and Secretary Royall
Subject: Appearance of General Wedemeyer before Congressional Watch-Dog Committee
Mr. Royall called the Secretary this morning to inform him that Senator McCarran of the Senate Watch-Dog Committee on China had requested General Wedemeyer to appear next Monday as a witness. Royall said there had been prior unfortunate appearances of General Wedemeyer before congressional committees, but he did not know any way to refuse this request. Royall stated there were "a few little fundamental differences in concept" between General Wedemeyer and the State Department. He asked that General Wedemeyer be briefed by appropriate State Department people prior to the hearing. The Secretary agreed and suggested Butterworth and Sprouse.
When Butterworth was informed he pointed out that Senator McCarran had introduced a bill suggesting one billion, five hundred million dollars worth of aid to China, particularly for silver, and presumably from Nevada. Butterworth also pointed out that the McCarran bill is not in conformity with Presidential desires.
The Secretary then decided that it would be more appropriate for him to inform Royall of the information in the foregoing paragraph, and suggest that Royall brief Wedemeyer accordingly. This will avoid the State Department becoming involved in the Wedemeyer briefing in any way.
After the National Security Council meeting this afternoon the Secretary talked the matter over with Royall and reached an agreement in accordance with the immediately foregoing paragraph.
M.S.C. S:MSC:DHM