574. Memorandum of telephone conversation between Stevenson and Ball, December 61
GB: Should we try to work something out for tonight or have you . . . on this flap?
AES: I don’t know. I thought the letter did it pretty well. I don’t know whether any more is necessary or helpful, or whether he has in mind doing anything. I would not want to ask him to do anything.
GB: Unless you think it is really vital, I would prefer to leave it to him. I think his instincts are pretty good in this situation, and if there is a good opportunity tonight he will make it clear. I am a little reluctant to do anything.
[Typeset Page 1525]AES: I wouldn’t press on it or call him up and ask him to do anything. I think you should perhaps leave it where it is and if he sees fit to do anything as the evening wears on, all well and good. I am ever so grateful to you for intervening in the thing.
GB: I was never so angry about anything as that. The more I think of it the more . . . the piece was so vicious.
AES: It was, you know, and it did incalcuable damage. I think it can be retrieved all right, and I think this has gone a long way to do it—this sort of sharp, explicit letter.
GB: There is one fellow who is burning quietly, and that is the VP. As a member of the Executive Committee he never even got mentioned.
AES: Maybe he was lucky. Let me know when you are coming up and stay a night with me if you have a chance. I would like to have a long talk with you if you ever have a moment.
GB: I would love too.
- Outcome of President’s letter of support to Stevenson. No classification marking. 1 p. DOS, S/S Files: Lot 65 D 438, UN—Cuba.↩