354. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State in Washington and the Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) in New York, May 18, 1956, 8:25 a.m.1
Ambassador Lodge telephoned this morning to report on his talk of last evening (four hours long) with Hammarskjold.2 He said that H’s estimate of the situation was a little more optimistic than was that of the Secretary. H does not think there will be a war this year at all. He thinks we ought to continue our efforts—even if we did nothing he doesn’t think there will be a war. H is actively working for compliance and implementation of the freedom of movement for observers and of the withdrawal of troops. He has a lot of information about the parties …. H thinks he is in a pretty strong position to get these things carried out.
The Secretary said that the above was encouraging and asked Lodge if he thought H had solid grounds for his views. Lodge said yes …. H has got a much better reaction out of the Egyptians than the Israelis right along. H is continuing to send cables to Ben Gurion and to others and he thinks he can get something done.