87. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the President and the Secretary of State, April 1, 1955, 12:13 p.m.1
The Sec. referred to his cable from Collins which presses the view that Diem must go2—which is surprising. The Sec.’s general [Page 176] feeling is it is quite impossible for us from here to give him any important guidance. The Sec. said he would be glad to talk with the Pres. about it, but the Pres. said he saw no reason to—he agrees with the above. The Sec. read from the cable. The Pres. said he does not see that we can do much except tell him not to give up on Diem until it is quite certain because we bet on him heavily. The Sec. said Mansfield is devoted to Diem. He thinks we ought to talk with him about it to see what line he will take. The Pres. said he does not know that we should. The Sec. might tell Collins that he is on the spot and will have to play it by ear. His telegram comes as a surprise because we bet pretty heavily on him. Let us know if we can do anything. The Sec. said he still thinks we should talk with Mansfield, and the Pres. indicated assent. The Sec. said though we should not be controlled by his judgment. The Pres. said, in response to the Sec.’s comment that Collins is apt to be hasty, that we should caution him to go slowly. He should be asked if Ely is in agreement with him. The Pres. thinks he should talk to the French without committing himself to anything if he can avoid doing it.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau, Dulles’ secretary.↩
- Document 84.↩