Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Radford)1
The Secretary returned the Admiral’s call, and the Admiral said he was about to start his last Conference with General Ely. Radford told Wilson that the last few days have been frustrating. Ely requests material and gives no assurances of improved performance or willingness to accept training activities. Ely says that further training activity would cause political repercussions in Paris, and the Secretary agreed.
Radford talked with General Twining and they will send 25 B26’s, but he is not sure they will make the best use of them. Radford wants to send a high air force mission to see why they are failing to get usage out of airplanes as they should. We have to do something to avoid the accusation we would not help them in their hour of need.
The Secretary said we must do some thinking on the premise that France is creating a vacuum in the world wherever she is. How can we fill that vacuum? One fellow is trying. The decision in this regard is one of the most important the US has made in a long time.
Radford mentioned the possibility of their walking out in 2–3 weeks if no victory. He said we look bad here to our own people. The appearances he will have to make—hearings etc.—can be embarrassing.
The Secretary said that pending a clarified political situation we might step up activities along the coast and from Formosa and also deal more directly with the Associated States.
The Secretary said the French situation is deplorable. He mentioned EDC and also Germany and said we may have to think of cutting loose on our treaties with France.
Radford said we must stop being optimistic about the situation. The Secretary said he talked with the President—we must stop pleading etc. and we must have policy of our own even if France falls down. We could lose Europe, Asia and Africa all at once if we don’t watch out. Radford said he would brief the President, the Secretary and Wilson tomorrow morning, and it is not very cheerful.
- Drafted by Phyllis D. Bernau of the office of the Secretary of State.↩