740A.13/3–2351
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State1
| Participants: | The President |
| The Foreign Minister of Ireland, Mr. Sean MacBride Secretary Acheson |
The President received Mr. MacBride at the latter’s request. The Secretary of State was present.
Mr. MacBride opened the interview by saying that in the struggle with Communism he thought there were three major fields—the economic, the military and the moral or spiritual field. He thought that progress had been made in the first two. He did not think that we had as yet been able to state to the people of the free world in simple language what the whole conception of democracy meant. He recalled the great appeal which President Wilson’s Fourteen Points had made throughout the world and thought that a statement in this general form and manner was very necessary. He felt that this could only come from the United States and he hoped that the President would address himself to this problem.
The President said that he had been endeavoring for many years to put forward his conceptions of what the democratic ideal and mission in the world was. He understood what the Irish Foreign Minister had in mind, was quite aware that his speeches had not achieved this particular objective and stressed the great difficulty of achieving it. He said that the Secretary of State and he had given much thought to this matter and would continue to do so. I said that I was sure that the President and I knew that I would be very grateful for any specific suggestions that Mr. MacBride could make, pointing out that to make such a statement required very unusual gifts. Mr. MacBride reiterated the importance of such a [Page 521] statement and the President said he would continue to give thought to it.
Partition
Mr. MacBride then turned to the question of partition which he did not mention by name. He explained that Ireland wished very much to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It could not do so because of political difficulties which he was sure the President knew about. Mr. MacBride felt that within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, it should be possible to devise a forum in which there could be friendly discussion and settlement of the only territorial matter outstanding in that part of the world.
The President replied that all the North Atlantic Treaty nations had expressed their strong desire and hope that Ireland could and would join the Organization. The matter to which Mr. MacBride referred was an issue between two countries with which the United States was equally friendly. He felt that it could not helpfully or profitably intervene in this matter. He recalled that outsiders intervening in family issues always suffered and the issue was rarely settled. Mr. MacBride replied that the United States could not be considered an outsider. The President appreciated this friendly statement but felt that in this matter we must continue to adhere to our present attitude.
Military Assistance for Ireland
Mr. MacBride then mentioned the question of military assistance for Ireland. He said that in the event of Communistic invasion, Ireland would be quite defenseless. It had some years ago obtained a small amount of arms from Great Britain but had been unable to do so for the last two or three years. He hoped that the United States might be of help. The President said that he appreciated the situation and would very much like to be of help. He recalled the very great strain now being placed upon the United States to provide arms both for itself and for the most urgent needs of allies who are more exposed than was Ireland. He would continue to give the matter thought.
This concluded the interview.
- Copies were sent to the White House and to George Perkins and Jack McFall.↩