July 14, 1949
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR SMITH with Reference to China
I spent an hour with Senator Smith at Wardman Park. He seemed flattered and pleased that I had come to see him.
We discussed, without mentioning names, the broad plan for going into a review of the facts in present-day China, and I gave him answers to the ten questions in his letter. He seemed to be satisfied with this.
We also discussed Mr. Butterworth's nomination. Senator Smith appeared at the outset to be worried as to whether Mr. Butterworth had sufficient broad knowledge of conditions in China. I said that, of course, Mr. Buttterworth did not pose as a life-time expert on China. Most of the people who did were so committed to one view or another that they would be quite impossible as assistant secretaries in charge of Chinese affairs. Mr. Butterworth was well informed on the subject and a most competent and loyal administrator. This would be his function so far as devising what course was called for by the new developments in China. That was a matter which would not be decided by the Assistant Secretary, but would engage the time and thought of the best people that the Department could get in as consultants, as well as the Assistant Secretaries, the President, and members of both Committees of Congress.
I cannot say that the Senator changed him mind, but he appeared to be somewhat talked down.
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