Memorandum to Judge Samuel I. Rosenman from Robert P. Patterson, with Attachments

WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 20 December 1945 Judge Samuel I. Rosenman The White House Dear Judge Rosenman: On 17 December I sent Colonel Charles W. McCarthy to your office at your request to discuss the early inauguration of immigrant shipments to the United States. As a result of this discussion, a press release was drawn up by members of the State Department, War Department, Justice De- partment, and United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration which, after checking, I find is satisfactory as far as the War Department is concerned. On 17 December, I dispatched an urgent cable to General McNarney which contained the substance of this project, and asked for his specific com- ments by 22 December on what expenditures, personnel and installations the project would require the Army to maintain in Europe above those re- quired to carry out the already assigned missions. I believe you are familiar with the tremendous problem facing the War Department in meeting its present and future commitments with the ever-decreasing available military manpower. I consider it to be very undesirable for the War Department to take on an added commitment prior to realizing its full implications. Therefore, if at all possible, I request that no final decision on this matter be made, nor publicity thereto be given, until I receive General McNarney's comments and trans- mit them to you. Sincerely yours, RLyPPth Secretary of War FORVICTORY BUY UNITED STATES WAR BONDS Also State Dept. mumph of AND STAMPS