132. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Hilsman)1

TELEPHONE CALL TO MR HILSMAN

Sec referred to telegram about Maneli2—he wonders if it is not better since there are one or two utterly simple and fundamental things that are crucial at most to find out from the British Amb whether this means something on the spot de facto partition or call the whole thing off. [sic] Sec worried about signal that would go to the North until we go to Maneli in this situation and say what about a cease-fire. It seems to him we can find out what the answer is to the central question without exposing ourselves. Sec asked H to give it some thought.

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H just reading 5443 and he seems to want some of our thinking re para 5 he asks for it-Sec said they have not figured anything out there and his guess is to wait until the trip occurs and see what happens there. Can’t see action here. H then said it is just that para 5 asked for our thinking which we could get out. Sec said o.k.

  1. Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau.
  2. Not found.
  3. Document 130.