Office of the Historian

Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”

No. 822
Memorandum by Roderic L. O’Connor, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State1

[Washington,] November 4, 1954.

Mr. Stassen called the Secretary today and said that up to last night no agreement had been reached with Agriculture on the Japanese food matter.2 He asked the Secretary if he would agree to pin it down at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. They both agreed that the matter should be pinned down before Yoshida arrived here. The Secretary said we were not anxious during Yoshida’s visit to pass out so much that he would go back and demand a continuation of office on the basis of what we do. The Secretary mentioned the political split in Japan. The Secretary said we should be courteous but restrained. We could use the above or not as we saw fit, but the Secretary thought it desirable to have our own position clear.

Mr. Stassen said that it might be ironed out this afternoon; if not, he would be prepared to bring it up at Cabinet.

R. L. O’Connor

  1. Distributed to Hoover and Robertson, and to Samuel Waugh, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, and to Frederick E. Nolting, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Mutual Security Affairs.

    This memorandum is based on a memorandum of this conversation drafted by Bernau. (Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”)

    ↩

  2. In a U.S. position paper on this issue dated Nov. 8, the Japanese request is summarized as follows:

    “The Japanese have placed great emphasis over many months upon participation in the programs for the sale or grant of U.S. agricultural surplus under Public Law 480. They have requested sales of commodities aggregating $400 million in value over three years, including $133 million for the current U.S. fiscal year, plus a grant of commodities for their school lunch program. They have submitted details for the use of the local currencies to be paid by Japan under which all of such currencies would be devoted to purposes directly assisting the Japanese economy.” (JAP D–3/4, prepared in the Department of State, Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 396)

    ↩