Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”
No. 217
Memorandum of Telephone
Conversation, Prepared in the Department of State1
Telephone Call To Mr. Brownell
[Here follows discussion concerning an unrelated matter.]
The Sec. mentioned the Chinese fellows. He would like to start on the basis of a trickle to let some of them go—say 10 or 15. We would announce this and see if they do something. We cannot get in a position of bargaining as with hostages. B. said Murphy talked with him about it and all Justice requires is a certificate from Defense that these people were not the type that would be of substantial aid. All but one of 124 are o.k. Also they must want to go. The Sec. said we would let them go. It is up to them. B. said it is up to State re making a deal of 2–3 or 4 for one. The Sec. asked how we can make progress. We would like to know something like this is going to happen before Geneva breaks up. B. doesn’t know if the request should come from here or there. The Sec. will write him a letter for the record2 asking B. to announce the release of 10 or 15 so they are free to go and he mentioned the fact that many more are cleared.