Office of the Historian

48. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State in Washington and Senator Walter F. George in Vienna, Georgia, August 31, 1955, 6:21 p.m.1

Vienna, Georgia, August 31, 1955, 6:21 p.m.

TELEPHONE CALL TO SENATOR GEORGE IN VIENNA, GA.

The Sec. referred to the Japanese visiting him. G, does not know how many and said he would get them at the nearest airport. The Sec. said he thinks that very nice. G. thinks it will be general and noticed what they said today. The Sec. said we have just concluded our talks here and they have been very satisfactory. He thinks they will push ahead with their own military establishments and relieve us of responsibilities there. That is the main thing we talked about. They are interested in trade business. The Sec. said they are being pretty good in taking steps not to flood the American market with Japanese goods. They are trying to do that and the Sec. said G. might usefully emphasize that. G. will and asked if there is anything else the Sec. can suggest. The Sec. said the only other thing to emphasize is that they don’t gain anything by making concessions to the Commies. Also, they want a new form of security treaty. The Sec. said when they are entitled to it, they can get it, but they should not think that with a new form of treaty, the Commies will be stilled. As long as they are working with us, they will be shouting they are an American colony. They needn’t think they can change that situation by changing the treaty. G. agreed. G. said we would have to stand by if trouble came. The Sec. indicated agreement. The Sec. said we have agreed on a communiqué and suggested someone going tomorrow might take it. G. will be glad to have it, as he knew nothing about the fact they were due in.

[Here follows a brief discussion of the Middle East.]

G. said he supposes the Japanese are anxious to extend their trade in some areas where they think they would have profitable trade—SEA. The Sec. said we want to see that happen. The Sec. said he was going on vacation tommorow.

  1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau. Senator George was Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.↩