Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume III, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Microfiche Supplement

299. Memorandum of Conversation with the President¹

Washington, March 24, 1958

PRESENT

• Secretary Dulles
• General Twining, Chairman, JCS
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Quarles
• Mr. Allen W. Dulles
• Admiral Strauss
• General Cutler
• General Goodpaster
• Secretary McElroy

We discussed my suggestion that the President, in connection with the opening of the present series of nuclear tests, might state that following this the United States did not intend to have further tests for a period of two years or substantially the duration of his Administration. I pointed out in this connection the estimate of the Intelligence community that Khrushchev might announce a voluntary suspension of testing within the next two or three days and that this would put us in an awkward position vis-à-vis world opinion. I pointed out that good world opinion was vital to our cause in the long run and over the broad aspects of the problem which involved more than winning a military war. I expounded the matter along the lines of the annexed draft, although I did not give the President a copy of this. Copies had, however, been given to Messrs. Strauss and Quarles. The proposal was strongly opposed by Strauss, Quarles and Twining and to some extent by McElroy.

The President raised the question as to whether the matter might be handled in a less formal way, indicating a more or less routine administrative announcement. However, there appeared to be difficulties also in that way, and in the end we let the proposal drop.

I was impressed particularly by a suggestion made by General Twining that our allies might feel that we have become frightened. I also felt that without adequate preparation Macmillan and Adenauer might perhaps be embarrassed and feel that we had played into the hands of their political enemies.

Admiral Strauss presented an alternative proposal in the form annexed. I expressed the opinion that this would not have much of a public relations aspect because it seemed to be a repetition of our whole “cut-off” theme. Also whereas it was within our own administrative discretion not to have another series of tests for two years or whatever time we determine we could not alter our agreed disarmament proposals as this would involve action without negotiation with our allies which would make it impossible for us to anticipate the possible Soviet action.

JFD

Attachment

Draft Presidential Statement

After reviewing and confirming plans for nuclear testing in the Pacific this summer, President Eisenhower announced today that he did not intend (for 2 years thereafter) to authorize any additional testing of nuclear weapons. The President believes that this policy is consistent with the security interests of the United States.

The President said that the Free World could take sober satisfaction in the contributions which the next test series will make to the defense of the Free World and to the development of weapons with greatly reduced radioactive fall-out.

The President said that it has always been his policy only to authorize such nuclear tests as were indispensable to develop United States nuclear weapons systems for the defense of the Free World. With the completion of this summer’s tests, very great and flexible nuclear deterrent strength will be available, and the President now sees no early need for further United States nuclear testing.

Research will continue in our laboratories, since there can be no certainty that the long impasse in disarmament negotiations will be ended and in view of the promising applications of nuclear explosions to peaceful uses. It is the President’s understanding that if a resumption of U.S. testing is in the interest of the free world, much of any such testing could be conducted underground, so that no radiation would enter the atmosphere.

It is the President’s hope that this public announcement of his intentions will improve opportunities for negotiation of an effective safeguarded international agreement to reduce the dangers of surprise attack and to control and reduce military force.

Extensive studies of radiation effects in the United States and other countries continue to support our position that testing adds but an insignificant amount to radiation from other sources and is not dangerous to humanity. The great peril to mankind arises not from nuclear tests but from the growing stockpiles of nuclear weapons and new means for their instant delivery through outer space. Safeguarded agreement to control this peril is a main objective of United States disarmament policy. In connection which such an agreement, the United States of course remains willing to enter into inspected international arrangements covering, among other things, the suspension of nuclear testing.

1. Source: Proposal to suspend nuclear testing dropped; includes draft Presidential statement. Confidential; Personal and Private. 7 pp. Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Meetings with the President.