Office of the Historian

751G.5/4–654: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State

top secret
priority
London, April 6, 1954—3 p.m.
[Received 11:04 a.m.]

4382. Eyes only for Secretary. In compliance with Deptel 5090,1 I saw Eden this morning and made points referred to therein and embodied those in an informal memorandum which I left with him, a copy of which is going forward to you by pouch.2

Eden had already seen President’s letter to Prime Minister (Deptel 5179).3 Eden stated questions covered would be considered at highest level as soon as possible and that in meantime he wished to say that he felt seriousness of military situation in Indochina had been exaggerated saying, “French cannot lose the war between now and the coming of the rainy season however badly they may conduct it.” He will consult with Prime Minister, Cabinet and Joint Chiefs of Staff and will [Page 1250] let us know soonest whether it is thought that you or Bedell Smith might profitably come here prior to meeting in Paris.

Aldrich
  1. Dated Apr. 1, p. 1202.↩
  2. Transmitted in despatch 3357 from London, Apr. 6; for text, see vol. xvi, p. 496.↩
  3. Dated Apr. 4, p. 1238.↩