501.BB/9–1347: Telegram
The Secretary of State at New York to the Acting Secretary of State
Personal eyes only for Lovett from Marshall. I would like the U.S. stand on over-all strength of UN security force immediately reconsidered. Present position cannot be successfully or consistently supported in negotiations, and, in my opinion and that of our delegates, would weaken the integrity of our position in general and would be legitimately and seriously criticized by American public opinion.
Our published proposal involves approximately three times the strength of next largest proposal for air and naval assault shipping, and seven times for submarines.
I am not questioning reasons for including various types or categories of forces, that is, heavy bombers, battleships, et cetera, though I do not fully understand logic of their necessity under realistic conception confining use of force exclusively against small or non-UN members. My concern is with the published strengths we presently propose.
I think it very necessary for our delegates to have a clear-cut statement, confidential or secret, giving exact reasons for our proposal.