General Stilwell's request for "necessary technical
services" raises questions of greater complexity, chiefly because
of shipping involved.
 
     The project, recommended by General Stilwell, if carried
out, would undoubtedly involve an area in Northeast India, probably 
in the vicinity of Sadiya and to the southwest thereof. The rainy
season is starting and the rainfall in that region is extremely heavy.
While the region indicated is a long distance from the port of Karachi,
rail communications exist and the necessary munitions could be forwarded
to General Stilwell. The problems of quarters and rations would have
to be solved locally.
 
     Determination of the feasibility of the project would
therefore seem to hinge on the following questions:
 
     1. The feasibility of the transfer of this number of
troops through the difficult country involved. General Stilwell
and other local authorities will have to determine this point.
     2. Concurrence of General Wavell in making available
the selected training area to the Chinese forces.
     3. U.S. ability to ship immediately to China whatever
additional transportation and technical equipment might be
necessary. The critical point in this last question would be in
shipping, rather than in provision of the items involved.
     I believe that until this matter is disposed of, it would be
inappropriate to raise the question of higher command in Burma, as
suggested by Mr. Currie.
 
                    Chief of Staff