No. 578
Editorial Note
In a message to President Eisenhower on April 6, Prime Minister Churchill indicated that he and Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden detected an “apparent change for the better” in the Soviet mood. Churchill felt that no chance ought to be lost in assessing the depth of change in the attitude of the Soviet leadership. He explained that British Ambassador Sir Alvary Gascoigne was returning to Moscow with instructions to take up a number of minor points troubling British-Soviet relations. (Presidential Correspondence, lot 66 D 204, “Churchill–Eisenhower”)
In his reply of the same date, President Eisenhower expressed the view that British and United States thinking on the subject was largely parallel. He indicated further that he was considering the delivery of a formal speech which would set forth the peaceful intentions of the United States. (711.11 EI/4–853)
In a message to President Eisenhower dated April 11, Prime Minister Churchill expressed appreciation for the advance copy of the President’s proposed April 16 address (transmitted in telegram 6665, April 8; 711.11 EI/4–853). While expressing general support for the address, Churchill expressed the hope that the delivery of the address might be postponed until the full purpose and extent of the change of attitude in the Soviet leadership was better assessed. (Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file)
In his reply of the same date, President Eisenhower expressed understanding of the necessity to avoid appearing to threaten Soviet leadership, and he promised to revise certain portions of the proposed address in order not to appear belligerent. The President pointed out, nevertheless, that it was no longer possible for him to withdraw making an address of the sort he had communicated to the Prime Minister. (611.00/4–1153)
In another message of April 11, Prime Minister Churchill thanked the President for this reply and offered some specific suggestions [Page 1144] for amending the proposed address. (Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file)
This exchange of messages is printed in volume VI, Part 1, pages 964 ff.