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THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON December 23, 1946 Memorandum for: THE PRESIDENT From: Edwin A. Locke, Jr. Attached is the report of our Agricultural Mission to China which was discussed briefly in the meeting with you the other day. I have now had an opportunity to study this re- port in full. It is a monumental work, and in my opinion one of real excellence, but nonetheless I certainly would not recommend your reading the re- port or even large portions of it. However, I think you will be interested in reading the Summary (pp. vi to ix) ; in looking through Part A on the "Content of a National Agricultural Program" (pp. 1 to 39) ; and, finally, in reading Part K on "International Trade" (pp. 177 to 181). Regarding the chapter on International Trade, the development of agricultural exports by China is in my opinion a matter of immediate and vital importance. It is the only possible way in whi ch China can hope to develop promptly any sizable amount of the foreign exchange so necessary for her economic and industrial growth. Unless she takes this practical and business-like approach to her export-import problem, China is never go- ing to get very far in her economic development. ANATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE* countries Attachment