Office of the Historian

743.13/7–1250: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Australia 1

secret   priority
Washington, July 12, 1950—2 p. m.

7. Urtels 6 July 5,2 11 July 7, and 12 July 7.3 Inform Austral Govt visit Menzies agreeable President who will welcome opportunity discuss matters common interest. Austral Emb, Wash advising Menzies at London4 of foregoing.

In discussing visit with Austral officials believed desirable you again express view conversations Menzies must necessarily be of gen character in view short time available US officials prepare before his arrival. On question duration visit Dept agrees with you that eleven days rather long visit Wash. Dept however doubts useful purpose wld be served by breaking visit as suggested. Such a break wld probably involve duplication appts President and Secy and Menzies might expect as suggested urtel 11 July 7 that US officials wld be prepared on his return make more specific statements US position on points raised. We have suggested Austral Emb visit New York and Wash from July 27 through Aug 4 or 5.

Visit not regarded as state visit and formal entertaining not planned. In circumstances Menzies will not be invited spend night as guest of Pres. Pres however will entertain Menzies at lunch.

Embtel 12 July 7 furnished useful info on subjs Menzies likely introduce discussion officials this Govt. Dept considers visit will be most helpful and is desirous assuring that it contributes maintenance present friendly attitude Austral Govt toward US. Info supplied by you will be helpful assuring this result.

Acheson
  1. The text of this telegram was repeated as telegram 200, July 15, to London, not printed (743.13/7–1250).↩
  2. Supra.↩
  3. Neither telegram 11 or 12 is printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram 6, supra.↩
  4. Prime Minister Menzies visited London from July 13 to July 22. Telegrams 448, July 21, and 489, July 24, from London, neither printed, reported upon the London visit and the topics most likely to arise in Menzies’ visit to Washington. These topics included possible United States assistance for Australian irrigation, hydroelectric installations, and transportation facilities: the problem of defense in the Pacific area; and United States financial assistance to facilitate continued European migration to Australia (743.13/7–2150 and 743.13/7–2450).↩