Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 1

611.00/4–2553

No. 402
President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Churchill¹

top secret

Washington, April 25, 1953.

Dear Winston: I am glad to learn from your message of April 22² that Anthony is progressing and hope he will soon be completely restored.

Your comments about the reception of my recent speech were most welcome and I warmly appreciate the support contained in your statement in the House of Commons and Mr. Morrison’s reply.

As to the next step, I feel that we should not rush things too much and should await the Soviet reply or reaction longer than a few days. There is some feeling here also for a meeting between Heads of States and Governments, but I do not think this should be allowed to press us into precipitate initiatives. Premature action by us in that direction might have the effect of giving the Soviets an easy way out of the position in which I think they are now placed. We have so far seen no concrete Soviet actions which would indicate their willingness to perform in connection with larger issues. In the circumstances we would risk raising hopes of progress toward an accommodation which would be unjustified. This is not to say, of course, that I do not envisage the possible desirability at an appropriate time that the three Western Powers and the Soviets come together. We should by all means be alert.

My thinking concerning a personal contact at this moment runs somewhat along the same line. The situation has changed considerably since we talked in New York³ and I believe that we should watch developments for a while longer before determining our further course. However, if your should find it necessary for some special and local reason to seek a personal contact, we would hope for as much advance notice as you could possibly give us.

With warm regards,

As ever,

Ike

1. This message was transmitted to London in telegram 7047, Apr. 25.
2. Not printed; in it Churchill stated that the President’s speech on Apr. 16 (see Document 400) had been well received, asked what the next step should be with regard to contacts with the Soviet Union, and enclosed copies of his and Morrison’s statements in the House of Commons concerning Eisenhower’s speech. (Presidential Correspondence, lot 66 D 204)
3. Regarding President Eisenhower’s conversation with Prime Minister Churchill in New York at the beginning of January 1953, see Document 373.