The Second Suez Canal Conference at London; Continued Consideration of the Users Association Proposal; Increasing Violence Along the Israel–Jordan Border; the Macmillan Visit to Washington, September 19–October 4


230. Memorandum of a Conversation, Lancaster House, London, September 19, 1956, 10:45 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 780. Secret. Drafted by Tyler, according to a copy of the memorandum ibid., Central Files, 974.7301/9–1856.


231. Memorandum of a Conversation, French Embassy, London, September 19, 1956

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 780. Secret. Drafted by Dillon. A copy of this memorandum is ibid., Central Files, 974.7301/9–1956.


232. Message From the Secretary of State to the President

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–1956. Secret. Transmitted Priority to the Department of State in Dulte 2 from London, 4 p.m., which is the source text, with the instruction: “Eyes only Acting Secretary for President from Secretary”. Dulte 2 was received at 11:33 a.m. A copy is in the Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series.


233. Memorandum From C. Douglas Dillon to the Secretary of State

Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Misc. Papers—U.K. (Suez Crisis). Top Secret. An attached chit from Macomber to Howe, September 25, indicates that Dulles and Hoover read this memorandum.


234. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Radford) to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson)

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5622/9–2556. Top Secret; Limited Distribution; Eyes Only. Attached to a letter from Secretary Wilson to Dulles, dated September 25, which reads: “I am attaching a copy of the memorandum from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in which the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend the termination of Operation “Whiplash”. I concur in their recommendation and if you feel that the situation requires it I would be glad to take the matter up directly with the President, provided you agree to this action.”


236. Special National Intelligence Estimate

Source: Department of State, INRNIE Files. Top Secret. According to a note on the cover sheet, “the following intelligence organizations participated in the preparation of this estimate: The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and The Joint Staff.” This estimate was concurred in by the Intelligence Advisory Committee on September 19, 1956. “Concurring were the Special Assistant, Intelligence, Department of State; the Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army; the Director of Naval Intelligence; the Director of Intelligence, USAF; and the Deputy Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff. The Atomic Energy Commission Representative to the IAC, and the Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, abstained, the subject being outside of their jurisdiction.”

The text of this Special National Intelligence Estimate was transmitted to Dulles in London. (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 772)


237. Telegram From the Delegation at the Suez Canal Conference to the Department of State

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2056. Confidential; Priority. Received at 9:33 a.m. Drafted by Tyler, according to a copy of Secto 13 in the London Embassy File. (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 775)


238. Memorandum of a Conversation, British Foreign Office, London, September 20, 1956, 10 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 774. Secret. Prepared by the U.S. Delegation, but the source text does not indicate a drafting officer.


239. Telegram From the Delegation at the Suez Canal Conference to the Department of State

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2056. Confidential. Drafted by Chipman and Burdett. Received at 1:17 p.m. Repeated to Paris.


241. Report Prepared in the Executive Secretariat of the Department of State

Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Top Secret; Eyes Only for Designated Recipient. A marginal notation by Goodpaster on the source text reads: “President informed of substance 20 Sept 56. G”.


242. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Under Secretary of State (Hoover)

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5622/9–2056. Secret. Drafted by Blackiston. Initialed by both Rountree and Hoover.


243. Annex to Watch Committee Report No. 320

Source: CIA Files. Top Secret; Noforn; Limited Distribution.


244. Message From the Secretary of State to the President

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–DU/9–2056. Secret. Transmitted to the Department of State in Dulte 6 from London, 9 p.m., which is the source text, with the instruction: “Eyes only Acting Secretary for President from Secretary”. Dulte 2 was received at 7:57 p.m. A copy is in the Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series.


245. Memorandum of a Conversation Between Prime Minister Eden and Secretary of State Dulles, London, September 20, 1956

Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Misc. Papers—U.K. (Suez Crisis). Top Secret. Drafted on September 21 by Dulles who initialed the source text.


246. Memorandum of a Conversation, U.S. Embassy, London, September 21, 1956, 10:45 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 782. Secret. Drafted by Tyler.


247. Memorandum of a Conversation, British Foreign Office, London, September 21, 1956, 11:30 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 782. Top Secret. Drafted by Aldrich on October 3. In his memoirs, Lloyd gives a lengthy account of a conversation with Dulles which, according to Lloyd, took place following the final plenary session on September 21. The schedule and chronology, prepared by the U.S. Delegation for September 21, indicate no other conversation between the two except this one at 11:30 a.m. Lloyd’s account of the conversation differs from the U.S. account printed here. (Suez 1956, A Personal Account (London: Jonathon Cape, 1978), pp. 145–148)


248. Memorandum From C. Douglas Dillon to the Secretary of State

Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers. Secret; Personal and Private. A marginal notation by Bernau on the source text reads: “Sec Saw”.


249. Telegram From the Delegation at the Suez Canal Conference to the Department of State

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2256. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Wilson. Received at 10:27 p.m., September 21. Repeated Priority to Brussels and to Paris.


251. Statement Issued by the Second Suez Canal Conference at London, September 21, 1956

Source: Conference doc. SUEZ II/56/D/10; Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 782. Also printed in The Suez Canal Problem, July 26–September 22, 1956, pp. 366–367.


252. Declaration Issued by the Second Suez Canal Conference at London, September 21, 1956

Source: Conference doc. SUEZ II/56/D/10; Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 782. Also printed in The Suez Canal Problem, July 26–September 22, 1956, pp. 365–366.


253. Memorandum From the Secretary of State’s Special Assistant (Armstrong) to the Acting Secretary of State

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/9–2156. Secret. A handwritten marginal notation on the source text reads: “Mr. Hoover saw.”


254. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, September 22, 1956

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2256. Secret. Drafted by Wilkins.


255. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5622/9–2256. Secret. Drafted by Bergus, cleared by Wilkins, and approved by Rountree. Repeated to Amman and Ottawa.


256. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, September 22, 1956, 3:58 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2256. Secret. Drafted by Wilcox. The time of the meeting is from Dulles’ Appointment Book. (Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers) The Secretary arrived in Washington at 3:20 p.m., September 22, and proceeded immediately to the Department of State.


257. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the President and the Secretary of State, White House, Washington, September 22, 1956, 5 p.m.

Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Meetings With the President. Secret; Personal and Private. Drafted by Dulles.


258. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2156. Confidential; Priority; Suez Canal—Limit Distribution. Drafted by Rockwell and Wilkins, cleared by Rountree, and approved by McCardle.