319. Editorial Note
According to his memorandum of conversation with President Eisenhower at the White House on May 1, Secretary Dulles raised the question of providing American arms to victims of aggression in the Middle East:
“3. I discussed with the President the implementing of the concept of arms to be held in escrow for quick delivery to whichever country was the victim of aggression. I said that Mr. MacArthur had been working this out with the Defense Department and that we felt there was a feasible way of handling this if Cyprus were available as a point of transit. I said I might want to discuss this with Mr. Selwyn Lloyd but before doing so wanted to be sure that the President approved it in principle because action would require Presidential direction to our forces to deliver the requisite equipment. The President said that he did approve of the matter and saw no reason why he should not instruct Gruenther to have all ready for delivery whatever planes or other equipment, such as antiaircraft weapons, etc., which were thought desirable. He suggested that some of this equipment might be sent in to a port by American ships, the presence of which would themselves exercise an influence, particularly as they would be entitled to defend themselves if they were attacked. I said that Mr. MacArthur might be getting in touch with him further on this program during my absence.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Meetings with the President)