795.00/6–2650
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State (Acheson)
Memorandum of Conversation at the White House
The President received the Korean Ambassador at the latter’s request this afternoon, the Secretary of State being present.
The Korean Ambassador presented to the President the attached resolution of the Korean Parliament,2 asking for expeditious and [Page 173] substantial help. He said that he had received three telephone calls from President Rhee, stating that the great deficiencies of the Korean if orces were in artillery, tanks, and aircraft, and asking for all possible aid in furnishing these. He said that nothing had as yet arrived.
The President said that he had already issued orders to General MacArthur to supply all items of ammunition and equipment which, in General MacArthur’s opinion, the Korean army was trained to use, and that the Koreans must now continue to fight effectively so that help from the United States could strengthen them. He pointed out that the battle had been going on for only forty-eight hours and that other men and other countries had defended their liberties under much more discouraging situations through to ultimate victory. The Korean Ambassador insisted that the soldiers were brave but that they did not have adequate equipment. The President again said that help was on the way and that the Koreans must develop the steadfast leadership which would carry them through this crisis.
It was agreed that the Ambassador should say to the press that he had presented a petition asking for help and that the President had assured him that he had issued the necessary orders to give necessary supplies at the earliest possible moment in order to support the resolution of the UN and the efforts of the Koreans to defend themselves.