Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

611.00/4–2553

No. 589
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 York and I believe that we should watch developments for a while longer before determining our further course. However, if you 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. Transmitted in telegram 7047, Apr. 25, for Ambassador Aldrich with instructions that the message be delivered to Churchill. The telegram indicated that the signed original was being sent to London by diplomatic pouch.
2. In this message to President Eisenhower, Prime Minister Churchill reported that the President’s address of Apr. 16 had been well-received in the United Kingdom. Churchill went on to suggest a meeting of heads of state or government with the Soviet Union. Churchill preferred to limit the meeting to the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Churchill also suggested that he might have to consider seriously a personal contact with the Soviet leadership if no three-power conference could be arranged. (Presidential Correspondence, lot 66 D 204, “Churchill–Eisenhower Correspondence”) The letter is printed in vol. VI, Part 1, p. 975.