112. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State in Washington and the Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) in New York, October 25, 1956, 5:29 p.m.1

TELEPHONE CALL TO AMB. LODGE

L. returned the call, and the Sec. said they are now thinking of sending to the other signatories of the Treaty2 omitting the Soviet Union and perhaps Yugoslavia the text of a letter which L. might send to the Pres. of the SC. L. said good. The Sec. said we want to feel out some of these people first. The Pres. does not want us to get out alone. If they are against it, at least we would have a reason for not acting. It will be private in the first instance. If we had to explain I think we would let it be known. We want to know how they feel re the letter and possibly join. L. said make it a resolution and settle for a letter. The Sec. said he thinks he has something there from the standpoint of tactics. L. does not think much of it as a matter of substance but gives you something to give up. The Sec. said the Pres. does not think it has to be done tomorrow. The Sec. had the feeling we should act fairly quickly. L. will be available at all times. The Sec. said we will circulate the letter tonight—then L. said he may put it in Monday.3

  1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Bernau.
  2. For text of the Peace Treaty with Hungary, which was signed at Paris on February 10, 1947, and which went into effect on September 15, 1947, see 61 Stat. 2065. The parties to the Treaty were Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, India, New Zealand, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Yugoslavia. Allen Dulles advised the Secretary of State to add France to the list of the nations to be contacted and the latter agreed. (Memorandum of telephone conversation by Bernau, October 25; Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations)
  3. October 29.