396.1 BE/1–2654: Telegram
No. 362
The Secretary of
State to the President
Dulte 6. Eyes only for the President from the Secretary. Distribute one copy to Acting Secretary.
“Meeting today preceded by lunch of Bidault, Eden with me concerning position on Soviet agenda proposal for five-power conference first, Germany and European security second, Austria third.1 We agreed to accept to save endless agenda debate feeling no harm would result. I made my speech at opening of today’s meeting.2 Molotov made long rambling reply designed primarily to open up possible differences between US and UK and France, emphasizing [Page 835] the theme of Europe for the Europeans and implying Americans go home. Also sought to offset poor propaganda effect of Molotov opening speech which my speech exploited. Bidault dines with Molotov tonight.3 He seems standing firm. Some slight sign of Eden desire play intermediary role with Molotov whom he has invited to dine with him Wednesday. I expect to be invited to dine with Molotov Friday and expect to accept.”4
- For a record of the second meeting of the conference, see Secto 29, Document 359. For a record of the luncheon meeting with Bidault and Eden, see the memorandum by MacArthur, Document 358. Text of the proposed Soviet agenda was transmitted in Secto 17, Document 355.↩
- For Secretary Dulles’ speech, see Secto 24, Document 360.↩
- For a report on Bidault’s dinner meeting with Molotov, see the memorandum by Bohlen, supra.↩
- For reports on Secretary Dulles’ dinner meeting with Molotov on Jan. 29, see the memoranda by Jackson and Merchant, Documents 385 and 386.↩