Secretary’s Letters, lot 56 D 459, “President”
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President
- Subject:
- Attitude toward U.S. Foreign Policy
I read the Dutch editorial given you by former Ambassador Cowen. It reflects a bewilderment about our foreign policy which, unfortunately, is rather prevalent in Europe and indeed in much of the world. It results, I think, from these facts:
For twenty years, foreigners have been taught to fear a Republican Administration as “isolationist”. They know that you and I are not “isolationists” but they do not think we can counter the trend of the Party.
Our policies do involve considerably reduced U.S. expenditures abroad, and the Congress, primarily the Republicans, are cutting back that program. This seems, to foreigners, to confirm their fears that U.S. policy is moving toward “isolationism”.
In Congress there comes to the forefront persons such as Taft and McCarthy, who have long been known as “isolationists”, and others, such as Knowland, who are believed to want to have general war in Asia against Red China.
Most of the columnists and specialty writers here are skeptical about our policies, and this is widely reflected abroad.
I believe that our new policies, once we get them firmed up, with Congressional backing, will come to command widespread respect. The critical period is the weeks ahead when we make up the first “Eisenhower” budget and the policies it is designed to implement.
A transition-period uncertainty was inevitable. We ought to make this as brief as possible and do all we can to reestablish confidence. I can assure you that we are working toward that end. But it is “deeds not words” that count.