252. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1

3894. Eyes only Secretary from Ambassador. Reference: Deptel 4966.2 Discussed subject reference telegram with Macmillan yesterday afternoon. He obviously pleased at suggestion of meeting. His specific reactions were as follows:

(a)
Thinks meeting should cover entire field of relations between US and GB and agrees that emphasis should be placed on this rather than having any implication that Middle East was matter of particular concern.
(b)
Welcomes idea that conference should be bilateral.
(c)
Agrees that it is desirable to have separate meeting with French at approximately same time and hopes that announcements of meetings can be made simultaneously.
(d)
Feels that very careful preparation should be made in advance of Anglo-American meeting.
(e)
Believes date March 21–24 satisfactory and greatly appreciates suggestion it might be held at Bermuda.

[Page 683]

To my mind very significantly Macmillan said he wished to talk entire matter over with Salisbury3 before he gave definite reply, no reference being made to Lloyd.

In connection with discussion which ensued regarding proposed visit of Queen to US Macmillan said he liked to put his thoughts regarding very important matters in the form of memoranda which he hoped that you and I did not think was too formal a method of procedure and that he did this only because it was the way he liked to work and he gave me such a memorandum regarding proposed visit of Queen which is transmitted in next following telegram.4 He said he would let me have memorandum covering your 4966 soonest possible.5

Aldrich
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.4111/1–2357. Secret; Priority.
  2. In telegram 4966 to London, January 18, Secretary Dulles reported that he and the President had discussed inviting Macmillan to Washington, and that Eisenhower had suggested that the meeting be held at Bermuda. Ambassador Aldrich was instructed to raise the matter with Macmillan and was also advised that Mollet was going to be invited to Washington for a visit at the end of February. (Ibid., 033.41 1 1/1–1857)
  3. The 5th Marquis of Salisbury.
  4. Telegram 3895 from London, January 23, reported that Macmillan, while recognizing the value to the alliance of a visit to the United States by the Queen, thought the time was not auspicious to invite her. (Department of State, Central Files, 741.11/1–2357)
  5. Macmillan’s letter to the President accepting his invitation was transmitted in telegram 3951 from London, January 25. (Ibid., 033.4111/1–2557)