LETTER TO HONORABLE CHARLES E. WILSON FROM HAROLD E. STASSEN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000600010030-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 13, 2003
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: September 7, 1956
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Rele 06/04: CIA-RDP80BO1676R000600010030-4
September 7, 1956
Honorable Charles E.?rlilson
Secretary of Defense
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Mr. Secretary:
You will recall that President Eisenhower's letter of 1 March
1956 to Chairman Dulganin expressed the belief that disarmament
should be sought primarily, though not exclusively, in terms of
limitation on armaments rathim than on men. You will also recall
that the United Kingdom, motivated by the same general reasoning,
advanced for our consideration a plan for establishing allowed
levels of conventional armaments based on manpower ceilings.
Your letter of 11 May 1956, conuaenting on the UK plan stated
it would be desirable for the UK to introduce its plan at that
time. It further stated that the subject was under review ?ithin
the Department of Defense.
M3C Action No. 1513-c authorized me to explore and submit a
report to the Council on the feasibility of measures for the reduc-
tion of major types of armaments, especially those capable of
delivering naelear weapons, in respects where inspection is shown
to be effective. In carrying out this task, it 'c-Ti ll. be necessary
to devise a means of establishing allowed levels of arr-nmerts. It
. s further noted that the Annex. to NSC Action No, 1513 refers to an
illustrative manpower ceiling as a basis for measurement for reduc-
tions of armaments and military expenditures.
It is therefore requested that you develop and inform r.e as
soon as pescible of mea.s-,~ras which you find feasible for establishing
the relationship between levels of manpower and armaments. In the
event you conclude that there are no satisfactory methods for
establishing such a relationship, I should like to have your recom-
mendations for any other = ethod of arriving at armaments levels to
be allowed under a comprehensive disarmament system.
As you ?mows the necessity of consultation. Yrit:a the T7estern.
nombers of the Ulf' Subcc=-i.ttee in advance of the 7-11 Gcricral Ass--ably
imposes a time problem, therefore I would appreciate your estimate
of the date on which a reply may reascnably be expected.
Your; sireorely,,
State Dept. review completed
Harold E. Stassen
Approved For Relea ~
, OO2,,Je/04 : CIA-RDP80B01676R000600010030-4
 Approved For Release 2003/06/04: CIA-RDP80BO1676R00060 ~M0030-44
Esec~z ivo Regtets9
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SECRET (when with attachment)
September 12, 1956
MEMORANDUM FOR: Honorable Allen W. Dulles
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
At Mr. Stassen's request, I am forwarding for your
information a copy of a letter sent to the Secretary of
Defense on September 7, regarding the relationship between
levels of manpower and armaments.
,Executive Secretary
'Disarmament Staff
osepl3/S. Toner
Approved For Reba 00 /06~ 4 .CIA-RDP80B 7 101 0600010030-4
 Ap
Ap
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
INITIALS
DATE
General Truscott
3
4
5
6
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
_
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks :
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
FROM: NAME, ADDRESS AND P ONE NO.
DATE
Director
Acting
/l3
rov
d R
6Wg6MO 06/ 4 C-CIAIRI 01 76
FORM N I APR 55 23 / Replaces Form 30-4
which may be used.