#2-300
Memorandum for Admiral Stark
November 8, 1940 [Washington, D.C.]
Secret
Dear Betty:
I sent over to you the other day—delivered to Captain Sherman, a study from the Army War Plans Division of October 31st with relation to additional funds for continuing planning and design, and initiating construction at Army Bases in British Possessions.1 In view of our previous conversations on this subject following the President’s refusal to consider the matter—after his original of $25,000,000 cash—I wanted to get your reaction before reopening the question.
I am told that the paper has been mislaid somewhere in the Navy Department, so I am approaching you direct as to the Army situation in this matter. As I understand it, the Navy has funds available which enable them to go ahead with the initial moves in the matter, meaning surveys, preparation of plans and design. $30,000 of these funds were loaned to us. Those have been exhausted, so we shall have to disband our organization or get more money within a few weeks.
War Plans is requesting that the Army make a separate request for $25,000,000 allotment out of the President’s fund, $15,000,000 of which to be contract authorization. I dislike to become involved in a separate move in this matter, so I would appreciate your giving me your reaction.2
Document Copy Text Source: George C. Marshall Papers, Pentagon Office Collection, Selected Materials, George C. Marshall Research Library, Lexington, Virginia.
Document Format: Typed memorandum
1. Captain Forrest P. Sherman was a member of the navy’s War Plans Division. The army’s War Plans Division study is in NA/RG 165 (WPD, 4351–10).
2. The editors have not found a written reply from the chief of naval operations.
Recommended Citation: The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, ed. Larry I. Bland, Sharon Ritenour Stevens, and Clarence E. Wunderlin, Jr. (Lexington, Va.: The George C. Marshall Foundation, 1981– ). Electronic version based on The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, vol. 2, “We Cannot Delay,” July 1, 1939-December 6, 1941 (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986), pp. 347–348.