711.5893/7–2452
No. 40
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation,
by Jeffrey C. Kitchen, Special
Assistant to the Secretary of
State
Participants:
- Mr. Lovett, Secretary of Defense
- Mr. Acheson
The Secretary called Mr. Lovett this afternoon and said he would now give him the daily reading on the Navy. He then read to Mr. Lovett the following United Press release:
“Manila—(United Press–WCNS)—Admiral William Fechteler, U.S. Naval Chief of Operations, said he was in part responsible for the decision to make a show of strength with Navy jet fighters off the coast of China last Tuesday.
“Fechteler, who leaves tonight for Guam and the U.S. after a tour of Far East naval installations, said the show of strength was comparable to showing the Flag in peacetime.
“He added, however, that planes seem to give a stronger impression these days.
“‘They sure look good, don’t they,’ he grinned.
“Fechteler also said the Navy could deliver baby atom bombs in Korea if it is ordered to do so, but he said the Navy does not have such bombs now. He did not elaborate.” 7/24
After reading this to Mr. Lovett, Mr. Acheson said he thought the Admiral had done “pretty well” without elaborating. Mr. Lovett agreed.
Mr. Lovett said that they had sent a message out last night telling the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific to keep quiet and to see that his subordinates kept quiet, too. The message explained that these gratuitous interpretations were causing embarrassment to the Government and might cause additional questions from our Allies, which would be embarrassing. Mr. Lovett said that he believed that they had covered everybody, except Fechteler. Mr. Lovett said he would tell Fechteler whenever he gets back to Honolulu, not to make any further statements along this line.