DRAFT
 
     In my Judgment it is of the highest importance that
immediate steps be taken to prepare the way for our common action
against our common enemy. To this end I respectfully suggest that
you call a joint military conference to take place in Chungking
not later than December seventeenth to exchange information and
to consider the military and naval action which may most
effectively be employed to accomplish the defeat of Japan and her
allies.
     I suggest that the conferees consist of representatives of
China, Great Britain, the Dutch, United States and the U.S.S.R.,
and I am prepared to designate at once Major General George H.
Brett as representative of the United States assisted by
Brigadier General John Magruder.
     It is my thought that this conference arrive at a concrete
preliminary plan and that this plan be communicated in the
greatest confidence to me by Saturday, December twentieth.
     I would communicate it in the utmost secrecy to the Russian,
British and Dutch Governments.
     While your preliminary conference is meeting in Chungking, I
am asking the British to hold a military and naval conference in
Singapore to include Chinese, American and Dutch officers and
report operational plans as they see the situation in the
Southern zone.
     I am also asking Mr. Stalin to talk with Chinese, American
and British representatives in Moscow and let me have his views
from the Northern viewpoint.
     These estimates and recommendations will give all of us
equally a good picture of our joint problem.
     I venture to hope that these preliminary conferences
especially that in Chungking may lead to the establishnent of a
permanent organization to plan and direct our joint efforts.
 
dd~