104. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State in Washington and the Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) in New York, October 24, 1956, 6:07 p.m.1
TELEPHONE CALL TO AMB. LODGE
Re Hungary—apparently the fighting is developing in quite a big way and there is clear evidence of considerable Soviet military activity in the area to try to repress it. We are thinking of the possibility of bringing it to the SC. From a political standpoint the Sec. is worried that it will be said that here are the great moments and when they came and these fellows were ready to stand up and die, we were caught napping and doing nothing. L. mentioned Poland. The Sec. said that was different and there is more excuse to take this to the SC. He wishes L. would think about it and possibly for tomorrow. L. said calling for a cease-fire. The Sec. mentioned asking the British and French to join,2 and they agreed they would be reluctant to though the Sec. thinks they would vote with us. L. will go to work on it and wait for word. The Sec. said to keep it close. L. will go into the Article to move on.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau.↩
- Dulles raised the issue of calling the attention of the Security Council to events in Hungary in a conversation at his home with Sir Percy Spender, the Australian Ambassador, on the evening of October 24. Sir Percy replied that he was personally sympathetic and would consult his government. (Memorandum of conversation by Dulles, October 24; ibid., General Memoranda of Conversation)↩