Editorial Note
The notes of a telephone call made by the Secretary the afternoon of August 31, to Carl W. McCardle, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, read in part as follows:
“Re the departure statement—McC. asked if we are firm and hopeful enough about a SEA Pact. The Sec. said he is deliberately playing it down. McC. said not to lose his nerve. McC. thinks public opinion will swing countries over. The Sec. said these fellows are so weak and feeble, one wonders if it is good to have a treaty with them. They think they can get it on any terms.” (notes drafted by Phyllis D. Bernau; Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”)
In the course of his departure statement issued that same day, the Secretary commented on the Manila Conference:
“We shall consider the desirability of a security treaty. Of equal importance will be the opportunity to exchange views with the representatives of other countries interested in the Southeast Asia area. We hope to find and develop a genuine meeting of minds as to what should be done to halt Communist expansion in that area. I also hope that ways and means can be found to enable Cambodia, Laos, and Southern Viet-Nam to become free, vigorous, and liberty-loving nations, and that the whole area can be strengthened by a sense of solidarity.” (For complete text of the statement, see Department of State Bulletin, September 13, 1954, page 364.)