Editorial Note
On March 29, 1954, Secretary Dulles delivered an address on “The Threat of a Red Asia” before the Overseas Press Club of America at New York City. The Secretary outlined the position of the Eisenhower Administration with respect to Indochina and reaffirmed the support of the United States for the struggle being waged there by the French Union forces. Secretary Dulles referred to recent statements made by himself and President Eisenhower “designed to impress upon potential aggressors that aggression might lead to action at places and by means of free world choosing, so that aggression would cost more than it could gain.” He sought to clarify further the United States position by stating: “Under the conditions of today, the imposition on Southeast Asia of the political system of Communist Russia and its Chinese Communist ally, by whatever means, would be a grave threat to the whole free community. The United States feels that the possibility should not be passively accepted but should be met by united action. This might involve serious risks. But these risks are far less than those that will face us a few years from now if we dare not be resolute today.”
For the full text of the address, Department of State press release 165, see Department of State Bulletin, April 12, 1954, pages 539–542.
For documentation related to Secretary Dulles’ call for united action, see volumes XII and XIII.