Memorandum from Secretary of Defense Robert Lovett to President Harry S. Truman

orley President to seen of W approved General Henera SECURITY SEGRET sent back THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Ple INFONMATION WASHINGTON 89 JUL 1952 Dear Mr. President: The Joint Chiefs of Staff have recommended to me that auth- ority be granted to the Commander-in-Chief, Far East (CINCFE) to loan heavy equipment to the National Police Reserve Japan (NPRJ) at the earliest time an agreement on this matter can be reached with the Japanese Government. CINCFE has indicated that the Japanese Prime Minister has stated a willingness to accept heavy equipment for the National Police Reserve Japan, when such equipment can be issued without the assumption by the Japanese Government of financial responsibility for loss or damage to such equipment. At the present time the NPRJ consists of approximately 75,000 men and is equipped with only light weapons, the heaviest of which is the 81mm mortar. It is planned that the force will be increased to 110,000 men and organized into a four-division force by 1953. Future plans call for a six-division force by 1954 and ten divisions by 1956. General Clark has advised that "So long as the NPRJ is equipped only with light weapons, it cannot be regarded as a bona fide defense force. The necessity for a strong ground force to sup- plement United States strength is too readily apparent to repeat here. With the world situation as it now exists, a few weeks or months saved in readying the NPRJ for combat may be decisive in the successful defense of Japan." I fully concur in the recommendations of General Clark and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the desirability of loaning heavy equipment to the NPRJ. As you know, there is no approved statutory program at this time for the transfer of heavy equipment to Japan on a grant aid basis. The Department of Defense plans to seek legis- lative authority for such a program. However, this cannot be ac- complished in time to meet the urgency of the situation described by General Clark and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In view of this, it is recommended that you authorize this Department, in accordance with your authority as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to loan heavy armament to the Japanese Government for the NPRJ as a matter of military neces- sity. If you concur in the foregoing, it is suggested that you may DECLASSIFIED OEF. 27A. 6-18-79 SECURITY INFORMIATION BYNLTHA NARS, Date 12.3.78 TS0140