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

361. Record of Telephone Conversation Between Herter and John Foster Dulles¹

New York, August 20, 1958, 8:55 a.m.

H returned the call and The Sec asked if he talked to McCone. H had and also with Killian and they agreed it is desirable to use the same wording as the Russians. McCone’s reaction was to have nothing at all rather than giving the Russians veto power. The Sec and H agreed this is all right. The Sec read from a Supreme Soviet decision in the SU and said he just would say all types of atomic and nuclear weapons and say nothing more about the subject at all. H said they are heading that way. The Sec said it may be possible the way it is worded they intend to do it themselves—the Sec indicated I think we would.

H said he got the telegram re the Sec’s talk with de Murville. They agreed it is good. H said they have no heard from Geneva. Macmillan has not sent word to the President.

The Sec said Couve wants to come to Washington and obviously to see the Pres though he did not say so. H will find out the Pres’ weekend plans. The Sec told Couve Friday p.m. would probably be better than Saturday a.m.

The Sec said the Pres may get a question re the offshore islands. H read a suggested reply from WSR. The Sec would have thought he could have gone further. H said it has been quieter the last few days. The Sec thought the Pres could say our position remains the same, namely under the Treaty and authority under Public Law 4, the US would act if it seemed that the attack involved Formosa and the Penghus and that during the 4 years since that time there has been increasing integration between Formosa and the offshore islands and that would have to be taken into account. H told of today’s Alsop story. If the Pres is asked re the ME he will say it is being actively discussed at the UN and it would be inappropriate to get into it in Washington. The Sec said speeches are supposed to end today and get down to real business tomorrow.

The Sec asked if the plan is to make a statement tomorrow. H said yes—they are signing at 11 in Geneva and he hopes the Pres will get it out about 10. Hagerty may want the Pres to step out of NSC to give to the Press. The Sec complained about all the jargon in the preliminary. H said it is to build up the idea it is only a small part of working towards disarmament. The Sec would suggest cutting down. It is essentially a propaganda exercise and the time it takes hemming and hawing people will wonder what we are up to and what it is. The Sec would think it could be put in more pungent terms though he realizes it is late. H said they can take a try and it would have to go through Defense, AEC etc. and H would hope we won’t end up tonight with an indecisive statement. The Sec said if he has time he might make a suggestion later in the day but realizes it is late to do it. H said it can always be looked over again.

H said the French came in and talked to Farley last night. They talked it over and said it sounds as if an ultimatum went to Geneva but we pointed out we have acted as a group. This was about signature—not statement. The position here is mild compared with Geneva.

1. Source: Statement on nuclear testing; offshore islands. No classification marking. 3 pp. Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations.