263. Editorial Note
Secretary Dulles visited Canada July 26–28, then flew from Ottawa to London to participate in disarmament discussions July 29–August 2. Although President Eisenhower and Dulles had often discussed the prospect of Dulles making a trip to London, it was not until after he left for Canada on July 26 that the decision was finally made for the Secretary to continue on to London. The President and the Secretary agreed that the talks had reached the stage where Dulles should report the United States position firsthand and obtain personally the allies’ views. As Dulles later explained, it was the “mass of cables coming in about these complicated subjects from so many points” that persuaded Eisenhower to send him to London. “No particular incident,” he added, brought Eisenhower “to that conclusion, but merely recognition of the fact that there were so many points to be buttoned up at the same time. It could be done more effectively with me” in London. (Background briefing for the British press, reported in telegram 903 from London, August 2; Department of State, Central Files, 330.13/8–257)
Dulles apparently wished to ensure there would be no confusion about his role at the disarmament talks, for on July 26, Acting Secretary of State Herter sent the following memorandum to the President: “In the course of his telephone call this morning, the Secretary suggested that it might be useful for him to have some further delegation of authority from you. I, therefore, suggest to you the memorandum for the Secretary of State enclosed.” (Undated memorandum; Ibid., 700.5611/7–2657) Eisenhower initialed Herter’s draft without change. Dulles’ instructions thus read:
“In the course of your consultations on the disarmament question during your mission in Europe beginning July 29, 1957, I believe that you should have a reasonable degree of flexibility. Accordingly, you are authorized during this mission to make such modifications or elaborations in the United States position as approved in the document dated June 11 as you deem to be within the spirit of that document and essential to the achievement of a sound and coordinated Western position for presentation in the United Nations Disarmament Subcommittee.” (Memorandum from Eisenhower to Dulles, July 26; ibid., 330.13/7–2657)
In a telephone call that evening, Herter informed Dulles, who had arrived in Ottawa, that he had just discussed the Secretary’s instructions, the press release to be given out in connection with Dulles’ trip to London, and a letter from Eisenhower to Macmillan about the trip (infra) with the President. Dulles approved all these matters. In addition, “Mr. Herter said that the President had stressed he hoped we could have the utmost flexibility in regard to testing.” (Memorandum [Page 665] of a telephone conversation, July 26, 6 p.m.; Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations) Afterwards, Herter sent Dulles the following memorandum:
“This memorandum is a reamplification of my rather cryptic message on the telephone. While reviewing the memorandum of instructions to you with regard to flexibility, the President said that he hoped that we could maintain considerable flexibility with regard to nuclear testing both as to the length of time and the many conditions with which it is coupled since he feels that we are at a continuing propaganda disadvantage in appearing to have too rigid a position.” (July 26; Ibid., Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series)
Additional documentation on Dulles’ visit is in Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–DU and 330.13.