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{
    "localId": "205716764",
    "label": "Memorandum from President Harry S. Truman to Secretary of State Dean Acheson, with Attached Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and Congressman Mike Mansfield",
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    "title": "Memorandum from President Harry S. Truman to Secretary of State Dean Acheson, with Attached Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and Congressman Mike Mansfield",
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            "logicalDate": "1950-01-01",
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            "year": 1950
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    "ocrText": "C\nCONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES\nHouse of Representatives\nWashington, D.C.\nJanuary 25, 1950\nHon. Harry S. Truman,\nThe President,\nThe White House,\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Mr. President:\nI have been watching with a great deal of interest the status of the\nsixty-odd planes which are, I believe, owned by the Civil Air Transport,\nInc., an American concern, and are registered with the Civil Aeronautics\nAdministration here. These planes, I understand, are at the present time\nat Kai-tak Air Field on Kowloon across the water from Hong Kong. I have\nbeen hoping that some settlement can be reached whereby these planes\nwould not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Chinese Communists. How-\never, it appears that there is a distinct possibility that this may occur if\none is to give heed to the fact that within the past few days the Portugese\nauthorities at Macao have turned over to the Chinese Communists radio equip-\nment and transmitters which are owned by the Civil Air Transport, Inc. If\nthis should happen in Hong Kong where the status of these planes is now under-\ngoing court review, it would create a dangerous situation. Furthermore, be-\ncause of the length of time it would take to process this matter through the\ncourts, it might be possible that the Chinese Communists would be able to\nmake off with these planes at Kowloon and thereby create a tense situation.\nMy thought in writing to you, Mr. President, is to call to your attention\nthe possibilities and future danger in the ultimate disposal of these planes.\nI know you are aware of this situation and my purpose in calling it to your\nattention again is to suggest that you do all in your power to see to it that\nthese planes do not fall into the hands of the Chinese Communists. This I\nconsider a serious possibility and with the lapse of time, it would appear to\nme that probably the only one in our government who would be in a position to\ndo something about this would be the President of the United States.\nDo you think it advisable to bring this matter to the attention of the\nBritish Ambassador?\nWith best personal wishes, I am\nAND\nRespectfully yours,\n: ARCHIVES RECORDS SERVICE**\n/s/\nMike Mansfield"
}