135. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1
Delga 161. For Hoover and Wilcox. Please transmit to Dulles from Lodge. Subject: Membership. If it appears to you that we are losing popularity with Italy and other nations over the membership question and that blame is being put on US for inaction, I suggest the following:
That I be authorized to let it be understood that the US would certainly be interested in an arrangement whereby all applicants except the two Koreas, the two Vietnams, and Outer Mongolia are elected to membership.
We have Morton’s estimate that unfavorable reaction in Congress to the admission of satellites would be more than counterbalanced by admission of such nations as Ireland, Italy and Spain. From the standpoint of protecting US interests here the situation would [Page 317] not be any more difficult than it is now. In fact, it might be slightly easier.
The Canadians are circulating a so-called secret draft resolution, presumably to friendly delegations, whereby the GA would endorse admission of the “group of 18, including Spain”. This would include Outer Mongolia. We are advised that the Canadian resolution has the approval of the Canadian cabinet.
The situation is developing rather quickly. My motive is more to prevent damage to the US than to solve the membership question.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/10–2655. Secret; Niact. Subsequently repeated to Dulles at Geneva.↩