56. Diary Entry by the Ambassador to the United Kingdom (Bruce)1
[Here follow diary entries on unrelated subjects.]
We had another meeting with the President at 3 p.m.2 It was a Loulou. Johnson said he had found no support whatever for the MLF either abroad or at home. It would command only a minority of votes in the Senate. Was he to be put in the position of Woodrow Wilson, and discover that a treaty he had advocated was repudiated by the Congress? In short, he did not intend to have a showdown with Wilson on this. Bob McNamara, that marvelous fellow, talked in contrary advocacy; George Ball did likewise. George is out on a limb, which the President may saw off. Unfortunately, Acheson was not there. I contributed my mite, acknowledging an ignorance of Congressional reactions, but attempting to place the controversy on an Atlantic plane. Johnson, from time to time, telling Texan or other stories, picturesque in language, confused us as to how he might negotiate. There were many divagations in his remarks from the subject at issue. At one point, directing his attention to me, he said he had read in the New York Times an article by Tad Szulc saying I intended to [Page 134] retire; “What was that nonsense? Would I not remain?”—the post was unspecified. Those present were slightly flabbergasted, as was I. I answered that I had not inspired such articles, but for the past two years had submitted my resignation on each January 1st. The President said he thought that inadmissible, and would I stay? I replied by suggesting we discuss the affair in private. This was agreeable to him.
Then we continued. What he will say to Wilson tomorrow is wrapped in mystery. Dean Rusk, just arrived from New York, was projected into the affray. In a cautious, somewhat equivocal fashion, he sponsored a postponement of decision. I was disappointed, for I do not know where we stand.
[Here follow diary entries on unrelated subjects.]
- Source: Department of State, Bruce Diaries: Lot 64 D 327. Secret.↩
- On December 5, Bruce, McNamara, Bundy, Acheson, Neustadt, and Ball had met with the President for 2 hours beginning at 1:15 p.m. Bruce summarized the meeting as follows: “In the course of our Presidential interview, no definite commitment was made on the cardinal point; that is whether Johnson would tell Wilson that British participation in a mixed-manned surface ship force was a sine qua non to his acceptance of any British proposals. I surmise he may state this in his talks on Monday, but is evidently anxious to give further thought to it, before reaching such an irrevocable decision. We were frank in pointing out that there was no support in any party in Britain for our conception; it was only likely to be agreed as an element in a package deal.” (Ibid.)↩