390


FOREIGN RELATIONS, 19 5 0, VOLUME X


S/S-NSC Files: Lot 63D351 : NSC 79 Series
Report to the National Security Council by the Secretary of Defense
                             (Johnson)

 TOP SECRET                          WVASHINGTON, August 25, 1950.
 NSC 79

 NOrE BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE NATIONAL SECU-RITY COUN-
   CIL ON UNITED STATES AND ALLIED WAR OBJECTIVES IN THE EVENT
   OF GLOBAL WAR
 References: A. NSC 20/4:1
              B. NSC 682
              C. NSC 73/4 3
  At the request of the Secretary of Defense, the enclosed memo-
  randum by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the subject is circulated here-
with for the information of the National Security Council and the
Secretary of the Treasury and referred to the NSC Staff for use in
the preparation of a report for Council consideration.
  In transmitting the enclosure the Secretary of Defense requested
that action be initiated in the National Security Council as recom-
mended by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a clear-cut statement
of the war objectives of the United States and that further action
be taken leading to the adoption of a concerted statement of the war
objectives of the United States and its allies, all in the eventuality
of possible global war.
                                                JAMES S. LAY, JR.


                            [Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense
                            (Johnson)

TOP SECRET                           WASHINGTON, 22 August 1950.
Subject: Statement of United States and Allied War Objectives in
    the Event of Global War.
  1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that, from the military-point
of view, there are certain compelling reasons for an early determina-
tion of clear-cut United States objectives in the event of war. Such a
clear-cut statement of war objectives is necessary to serve as a basis
for military planning, both prior to and during hostilities, in order
  For text, see Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. i, Part 2, p. 662.
  2Ante, p. 234.
  4 Of August 25, p. 375.