Office of the Historian

302. Telegram From the Department of State to the Secretary of State, at Geneva1

Washington, October 28, 1955—9:30 p.m.

Tedul 25. Eyes only Secretary from Acting Secretary.

1.
After Cabinet today I met with Nixon, Adams, Humphrey and Brownell. I showed them again Dulte 6, Dulte 15, and Secto 27.2
2.
Governor Adams reported that the President had made extraordinary strides during the last two weeks, that he was reading the newspapers and taking an active interest in public affairs. The doctors further stated that there was every indication that he could assume an active office schedule by early January, and the decision on whether he wished to continue beyond next year would be primarily one of his own choosing and not one in which they would take part other than to caution a less punishing workload.
3.
I said that I believed we should pass on to Denver a considerably greater volume of traffic than we had in the past, and Governor Adams agreed fully. In fact, he said that without such information the President might perhaps gain faulty impressions from access to the newspapers alone. In addition to other material, I plan to forward the Morning Summary each day with marked items which Governor Adams can show him. I believe, however, that he will probably read the entire document.
4.
It was the consensus of feeling that the President must appear to be in complete and frequent touch with you at Geneva and every effort will be made at this end to substantiate this impression. It was believed most desirable that whenever possible you might send him a personal telegram giving your interpretation of developments and events together with the substantive problems with which you are faced. While the suggestion was made that they should not be too long, nevertheless there should not be any avoidance of the primary issues which may be involved.
5.
It was further suggested that for the sake of appearance it might be desirable for me to visit Denver on a weekly basis in order to demonstrate the President’s participation and intimate contact [Page 643] with the development of foreign affairs. I would of course give no statements to the press on the purpose of these talks other than that they were to keep in touch currently with the President. The decision in this matter was left in your discretion.
6.
Governor Adams further stated that the President would now like to be fully informed on developments so that wherever it might be helpful he could take a hand in issuing statements in support of any positions that you might think wise.
7.
With regard to the substantive matters raised in your telegrams, particularly those referred to in paragraph 1, it was the consensus of opinion that the President would of course hope to avoid a “break” or “drastic action” as mentioned in your wires, until all possible means had been exhausted to preserve the so-called spirit of Geneva. They share with you your apprehension that while Macmillan would undoubtedly want to be helpful, nevertheless Eden might not be willing to back him up.
Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/10–2855. Secret. Drafted by Hoover.↩
  2. Documents 292, 296, and 295, respectively.↩