February 28, 1950
To: S - Mr. Battle
Thru: S/S
From: FE - Mr. Merchant
When L. K. Little saw the Secretary ten days ago he mentioned that the Secretary might wish to talk to Loris Craig about Formosa when Craig reached Washington. My own recollection is that the Secretary indicated an interest in so doing. Craig has now arrived and will be here at least the rest of this week on consultation. He probably knows more about Formosa than any living American and has spent the last two years on the Island, first as Economic Analyst for the Consulate General and then as Chief of the ECA office. When you have an opportunity would you ascertain the Secretary\'s wishes in the matter?
I myself think it would be worth fifteen minutes of the Secretary\'s time for him to obtain from Craig his estimate of the status of native Taiwanese political work and attitudes. If the Secretary is badly pressed I can, of course, give him a short memorandum covering the high lights I extract from Craig in talking to him myself.
FE:LTMerchant:mls