Office of the Historian

396.1 GE/7–2354

Statement by the Under Secretary of State (Smith)1

Washington, July 23, 1954.

While the agreements reached at the Geneva Conference contain features which the United States does not like, I am nevertheless convinced [Page 1552] that the results are the best that could be expected in the circumstances.

The position of the United States was stated officially in the unilateral U.S. Declaration made at Geneva, and clearly outlined in the President’s statement of July 21.2 I am also convinced that the decision regarding our representation during the closing, critical hours at Geneva was wise and effective, both as to timing and tactics. Also, I might point out that, when we analyze and discuss the results of Geneva it will be well to remember that diplomacy is rarely able to gain at the conference table what cannot be gained or held on the battlefield.

  1. Smith made this statement upon arrival in Washington from the Geneva Conference.↩
  2. For text, see editorial note, p. 1503.↩