July 5, 1949
MEMORANDUM
Letter from Secretary Johnson of June 29, 1949
To: Messrs. Bohlen, Rusk, Achilles
I am returning Secretary Johnson's letter of June 29, with its enclosures, for the preparation of a reply.
1. This morning I telephoned Secretary Johnson in specific reference to Paragraph 3 of the letter. I said to him that, since the President, Vice President, and Speaker had concluded that to have hearings start on the MAP bill before the treaty was ratified would indefinitely prolong debate on the Treaty, I felt that the Joint Chiefs should not begin the consultations referred to in the letter, nor should anything be said about such consultations prior to the ratification of the Treaty. I pointed out that these meetings could not take place without comment, and such comment would have its effect upon the Senate proceedings. I thought that the delay would be only a matter of two or three weeks during which the Joint Chiefs could make their preparations with the utmost secrecy. Secretary Johnson said that he concurred and would speak to the Joint Chiefs at lunch today.
2. At first glance the organization recommended by the Joint Chiefs seems unnecessarily complicated. For instance, I do not understand what would be the function of the North Atlantic Permanent Commission and the North Atlantic Finance and Economic Committee, and no light is thrown on this in the discussion.
3. It seems to me that Canada should at least be asked to be on the steering and executive group of the defense committee.
4. Although the regional planning groups appear to be complicated, in fact only three new ones are added. I think care should be taken not to confuse the functioning of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense - Canada- United States or the functioning of the western Union Groups. As to the usefulness of the other three, I am not competent to judge.
Attachment
Letter of June 29, 1949 to Secretary from Secretary Johnson.
D.Acheson:be