Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume V, Microfiche Supplement, American Republics

CH–3. Memorandum of Telephone Conversations President Between Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles¹

Washington, April 16, 1958

TELEPHONE CALL TO THE PRESIDENT²

The Pres did see Ibanez cancelled his trip. He referred to what Seaton said as being the reason. The Sec said he made a bad statement from the standpoint of Latin American relations. He should not have talked about it without clearance here. The Sec told what he said. The Pres asked if they talked about it and the Sec said no. Our people have but the Sec did not know what to say. The Pres does not know how S can say anything until it is coordinated. The Pres will get Sherm on it.

TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE PRESIDENT³

The Pres said when he talked with the Sec he had no idea that Seaton had made the statement on his own. The Pres called Sherm and told him to call S and tell him by no means is he running foreign affairs of the U.S. and if he is going to make statements he will coordinate them. In case he calls the Sec the Pres wants him to know.

The Sec said we have the text of the Pres’ message to him.⁴ He does not in the message allude to anything in particular. Chile is in an excessive furor about it etc. They agreed there is not anything to do - call off the dinners and think about a reply. The Pres said to tell Buchanan to let their social secretary know.

pdb

Buchanan will so do.

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations.
2. Information on the source text indicates that this call was placed at 4:44 p.m.
3. Information on the source text indicates that this call was placed at 5:07 p.m.
4. On April 16, 1958, President Ibáñez telegraphed President Eisenhower directly and cancelled his visit, citing domestic developments as the reason for cancellation. (725.11/4–1653)