What did the declassified documents reveal?

From Declassified, this is a record of United States intelligence on China. Today, a declassified C.I.A. record from May second, nineteen-fifty, details intelligence difficulties in the Philippines and concerns about a consul in Formosa. This document can be found at archive.org. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made publicly available on August seventh, two thousand thirteen. The declassification authority for this record is the F.B.I. It remains a key record from the early years of the Cold War. The document is a letter dated May second, nineteen-fifty, from Major General S. LeRoy Irwin, G.S.C., to Major General C. A. Willoughby, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-two, Far East Command, A.P.O. five hundred, care of Postmaster, San Francisco, California. The letter begins: "Dear General Willoughby: Thank you for your letter of twenty-two April. With regard to the letter which I mentioned to Louis Fortier, I realized that I could include in it nothing that I had not told Fortier and, hence, did not write it. I apologize for not letting you know that fact. Regarding the general coverage of areas outside F.E.C., we are anxious to arrive at some solution as we are having considerable difficulty in certain areas, notably the Philippines, where our attache has been withdrawn by direction of the Secretary of Defense and where we are dependent on the Naval Attache, who is proving to be no help to us. If you have good information for that area I will certainly appreciate it, as we are being constantly embarrassed by our inability to produce intelligence to support Military Aid and other programs. With regard to the uncooperative attitude of the Consul in Formosa, can you not take a crack at him through your local State people? We have a feeling that his slanted reports have had strong influence on State's policies regarding Formosa, policies, incidentally, with which we do not agree. It would help the whole picture if that individual could be replaced by a more objective man capable of sizing up the situation and getting State's support for more constructive action for that locality. I was happy to learn from your remarks that you shared my views that Fortier's visit was profitable to both of us, and I hope it has eliminated any misunderstanding that existed. The changes in personnel that we have made should be an added help in this respect. With best regards. Sincerely, S. LeRoy Irwin, Major General, G.S.C." The Black Vault, which archived this document, notes that this letter provides insight into the challenges faced by U.S. intelligence agencies in gathering information and coordinating efforts in critical regions during the post-World War Two era, particularly regarding China and its surrounding territories. The intelligence presented here reflects the U.S. government's concerns about the developing situation in Asia and the effectiveness of its diplomatic and military representatives. This is what the public record…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-003Declassified

Filed NOV 10 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA From Declassified, This Is A Record Of United States Intelligence On China.

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 10, 2026

intelligence-vault

◆ BLUF — The short version

From Declassified, this is a record of United States intelligence on China. A. record from May second, nineteen-fifty, details intelligence difficulties in the Philippines and concerns about a consul in Formosa. org. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made publicly available on August seventh, two thousand thirteen.

Date: NOV 10 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

↯ Dispatch — press play1:00

0:001:00

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

From Declassified, this is a record of United States intelligence on China. Today, a declassified C.I.A. record from May second, nineteen-fifty, details intelligence difficulties in the Philippines and concerns about a consul in Formosa. This document can be found at archive.org. This document was…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was CIA From Declassified, This Is A Record Of United States Intelligence On China. about?: From Declassified, this is a record of United States intelligence on China. A. record from May second, nineteen-fifty, details intelligence difficulties in the Philippines and concerns about a consul in Formosa. org. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made publicly available on August seventh, two thousand thirteen.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

intelligence-vault

Related cases

✉ Dispatches

A short dispatch when a new file is released — narrated, answer-first, and linked straight to the primary source. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

↯ Subscribe to the feed

RSS feed Browse all cases

CIA From Declassified, This Is A Record Of United States Intelligence On China.

Questions about this case

Related cases

This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Confidential Letter From The United

Navy: Today, We Present A Declassified May Fifth, Nineteen Fifty, Department

Central Intelligence Agency Record, A Letter From Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek

FBI This Declassified Briefing Presents A Top Secret Cable From The State

CIA Today, We Delve Into A Declassified CIA

Questions about this case

Related cases

This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Confidential Letter From The United

Navy: Today, We Present A Declassified May Fifth, Nineteen Fifty, Department

Central Intelligence Agency Record, A Letter From Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek

FBI This Declassified Briefing Presents A Top Secret Cable From The State

CIA Today, We Delve Into A Declassified CIA

Get the next declassified case in your inbox