Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Geneva Conference, Volume XVI

110.11 DU/5–2054: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation¹

confidential
priority

Washington, May 20, 1954—7:50 p.m.

Tedul 99. Personal for Under Secretary from Secretary. Have just read full text of Churchill’s statement May 17, relevant portion of which is quoted in today’s New York Times.² It is noteworthy that Churchill’s statement involves a substantial repudiation Dulles–Eden joint statement of April 13 which had previously personally been approved by Churchill.³ Last paragraph of Churchill’s present statement is a paraphrase of our April 13 statement with following essential changes:

1. April 13 statement was one of present readiness to examine. Churchill’s statement expresses readiness to examine “when the outcome of the Geneva Conference is clear.”

2. April 13 statement speaks of readiness to examine “with the other countries principally concerned”. This important statement is omitted.

3. April 13 statement spoke of “establishing a collective defense”. Churchill’s statement says “establishing a system of collective security and defense”. The word “system” was proposed by Eden at the dinner with Churchill and after discussion it was omitted from our agreement because the urgency of the situation was such that the need was for “defense” and not for a “system” which would be a matter of long negotiation and ratification.

Officially-inspired statements from London represent this statement of Churchill’s as an amplification and confirmation of April 13 agreement and say that US Government has not asked the British Cabinet to go beyond what Churchill pledged last Monday.⁴

I wonder whether the British want us or expect us to remain silent and uncommunicative to the press here while they misrepresent our position and attempt to conceal their repudiation of our April 13 agreement. I do not want to make your task more difficult but I do feel a certain righteous—I hope—indignation. What would you think of asking Aldrich to inquire of the Foreign Office as to what interpretation US should put on Prime Minister’s statement having regard to Dulles–Eden agreement of April 13?

Dulles

1. Drafted by the Secretary of State.
2. For text of Churchill’s statement made in Parliament, May 17, see editorial note, p. 834.
3. See extract of telegram 4523, from London, Apr. 13, p. 514.
4. For British decisions on collective security in Southeast Asia and on holding five-power military talks, see telegrams Dulte 72, 77, 79, and 84, pp. 815, 835, 837, and 841, respectively.