611.51/7–1054: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
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128. For Ambassador from Secretary. Limit distribution. In separate telegram I am sending you a message from me to Mendes-France,2 which you should deliver to him in person in Geneva at the earliest possible moment. I think that in this connection you should not limit yourself merely to delivering the message, but that you should discuss the subject matter with him so as to be sure he gets the real flavor and import of what we are trying to explain. In this connection, please express the profound personal sympathy which the President and I have for the position of Mendes-France and our admiration for the courageous way in which he is tackling almost insurmountable problems. Also, emphasize that if we seem to differ from him as to whether Ambassador Johnson or General Smith or I am at Geneva, this is a difference of tactic which ought not to be exaggerated.
After having seen and delivered the message to Mendes-France as above, please then give a copy to Eden.
Because of your distinctive relationship to Mendes-France as Ambassador to France, we leave it to your discretion as to whether or not Johnson accompanies you. However, when you see Eden, you should have Johnson with you.
[Page 1333]In this connection, please give Eden the following:
Begin text: Dear Anthony: Beedle and I greatly appreciate your messages. We are at the moment unable to decide in favor of either of us coming to Geneva for reasons which are set out in the lengthy exposition to Mendes-France, which I am making, and of which you will be getting at once a copy. I hope that even if you do not agree wholeheartedly with our reasoning, you will understand our point of view. It is a tough decision for us, either way. With warm regards, Foster. End text.