Where Is It?

The letter was barely civil. In cold, blunt words, New Hampshire's Republican Styles Bridges, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, wrote to George Marshall:

"More than two months have now passed since you stated [that] 'a definite proposal' [for aid to China] is under preparation for early submission. Two weeks have now passed since the beginning of the regular session of the Congress. No proposal for aid to China has yet been submitted to the Congress by the Department of State. . . . The good faith of the Administration . . . is now in question. . . . Only the immediate submission to the Congress of a proposal for the protection of the vital interest of the American people in Chinese independence can create confidence . . . and give us an adequate opportunity to carefully consider an aid program. I should appreciate early word from you."

To the State Department, this was like twisting a dagger in an old wound. But George Marshall muffled his feelings and dispatched a curt reply to Styles Bridges: "[A China] proposal has been worked out by the Department and it will be submitted to the National Advisory Council and the Bureau of the Budget within the week. Upon the completion of their examinations, the President will be in a position to submit the program to the Congress."

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