33. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the President and the Secretary of State, Washington, May 14, 1958, 1:13 p.m.1
Washington, May 14, 1958,
1:13 p.m.
TELEPHONE CALL TO THE PRESIDENT
The Sec gave the Pres the gist of the cable from Beirut.2 The Pres thinks the thing for him to do is announce he is not going to do any [Page 53] running. The Pres hopes the Amb is so encouraging him. In these preparatory moves they are going to make he would not let them too close to the area though maybe they did not order them—the Marines can go anywhere but he would tell them in Europe to stop it quick.3
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations. Transcribed in Dulles’ office by Phyllis D. Bernau.↩
- An apparent reference to telegram 3869, supra, which was received in the Department of State on May 14 at 9:30 a.m.↩
- Dulles called John N. Irwin, II, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, immediately after speaking with the President. He spoke of the Marine battalions which had begun moving in the Gibraltar area, and noted that such activity was apt to prompt questions. Dulles said that the President did not want “anything to stir things up.” Dulles and Irwin agreed that, in response to any questions which might arise concerning the movement of the Marine units, the explanation would be that it was a routine maneuver. (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations)↩