Eisenhower Library, James C. Hagerty papers

No. 480
Hagerty Diary, Monday, June 28, 1954

[Here follows a report on the meeting with legislative leaders at 8: 30 a.m.]

Churchill joined the President in his office at 11 o’clock.1 They were joined a few minutes later by Dulles, Eden and their staffs. I was called in to the meeting about 11:30 and it was decided then and there to put out the communiqué for immediate release at 12:30. The reason the communiqué came out first was that Churchill asked for time to cable the Declaration to his government and get their opinions on it.2 It was agreed to meet again the following morning.3

The President had a little fun with Churchill on the time of the meeting. He said, “Winston, I will be ready to meet you anytime you want. I get up at 6:30 and will be available from seven o’clock on.” The Prime Minister smiled and said, “Mr. President, as you know, I have a habit of getting up a little later than that.” The President said, “10:30?” Churchill said, “A little later than that [Page 1115] please.” The President: “11: 30?” The Prime Minister: “That will be fine. That is more normal.”

I accompanied the Prime Minister and his party to the Statler for the luncheon of the Press Club. The British were very nervous about the Prime Minister’s appearance and particularly his decision to answer questions which he had not seen before and which were to be read to him on the spot. I personally believe the Prime Minister was also a bit nervous but once the questions started, the old gentleman did a magnificent job. As the question period continued, you could actually see the British breathing a sigh of relief at Churchill’s performance. They were really scared before it started, not knowing what he might say or blurt out—but he did a fine job.

I talked with Dulles during the conference and had arranged with him to have a briefing for American correspondents at the State Department that afternoon. Carl McCardle and I, during the reception before the luncheon, circulated it around and told most of the men who normally cover the State Department to be over there at 3:30. Dulles’ briefing went off very well and the men who were writing the stories were therefore able to get a much clearer picture of the situation from the American point of view.

  1. No other record of this conversation has been found in Department of State files.
  2. For the text of the joint declaration and the communiqué of the visit, see Documents 488 and 490.
  3. See Document 482.