Office of the Historian

Secretary’s Daily Meetings, lot 58 D 609

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Executive Secretary (McWilliams)

secret
[Washington,] April 25, 1952.

Subject:

  • Summary of Meeting with the Secretary.

Participants:

  • Mr. Acheson
  • Mr. Bruce
  • Mr. Matthews
  • Mr. Sargeant
  • Mr. Bohlen
  • Mr. McFall
  • Mr. Jessup
  • Mr. Howe
  • Mr. Nitze
  • Mr. McWilliams
  • Mr. Battle

Item 1. Korean Briefing

Mr. Howe gave the briefing.

Item 2. Negotiations in Korea

Practically the entire meeting was spent in a discussion of the current state of negotiations in Korea and the steps which should be taken to prepare American and world opinion for the decisive turn of events which seems to be at hand. The two main questions at issue are:

(1)
Should we make a public statement in respect to the build-up of Communist strength and the probability of a heavy resumption of hostilities. General Smith is anxious that something be done on this.
(2)
Should we have congressional consultations at this stage of the negotiations.

[Page 171]

The matter was left that Messrs. Matthews, Sargeant, Bohlen, McFall and Johnson would get together this morning and try to outline the course of action which should be taken during the next 48 hours.

[Here follows a summary of discussions on Trieste and the Varvaressos report on Greece. For documentation on these two issues, see volume VIII.]

W. J. McWilliams