158. Memorandum of Conference With President Eisenhower0
OTHERS PRESENT
- Secretary Herter, General Parsons, General Goodpaster
[Here follows discussion of the U–2 incident.]
Mr. Herter next mentioned the troubles that have arisen in Japan over the ratification of the Japan-U.S. security treaty. He said Kishi is in great difficulty and may not be able to continue in office. He said that there is a proposal to urge Yoshida, who is now visiting the United States, to throw his support behind Kishi. The President thought this was a good idea, and authorized an approach to be made. The President said this may well mean that his plans for visiting Japan may have to be modified. He gave to Secretary Herter the gist of a message which he thought should be sent to MacArthur at once to get his advice.2 The President mentioned briefly some of his thoughts concerning additional countries to visit on such a trip, naming Indonesia, the Philippines and Formosa. He thought he would have to spend a minimum of two days each in Indonesia and the Philippines, and one day in Formosa. In further discussion, the idea of postponing the trip until a date just following the Republican Convention in late July was developed. Mr. Herter said he would sound out MacArthur on this point
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries. Secret. Drafted by Goodpaster on May 26.↩
- The time of the meeting is from the President’s Appointment Book. (ibid.)↩
- See Document 159.↩