Office of the Historian

795.00/4–1553: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea1

niactsecret
Washington, April 15, 1953—8:30 p.m.

653. For the Ambassador. Address of President before American Society Newspaper editors April 16 1:00 p.m. EST2 being transmitted by wireless bulletin on April 15 at 21:30. You should see President Rhee at or as soon as possible after time of delivery of speech and give him copy thereof. At time of giving speech to President Rhee you should with reference to your tel 1225 April 153 in particular last paragraph thereof give to him the following personal message from the President: [Page 913]

“Your message,4 sent me through Ambassdor Briggs, reached me after the speech which he is now handing to you was prepared and distributed for the world press. You will find in this speech several friendly references to Korea and to our determination to assist in bringing peace and unity to your unhappy country. The specific questions raised in your message have not yet received full consideration by my Administration, but they will be given the attention their importance deserves. Meanwhile, you may be sure, and you may say from me to the Korean people, that because of their sufferings and sacrifices in the common cause the United States will never forget Korea or cease to be concerned for its welfare and security. I will reply to your letter of April 9 shortly after my return to Washington.”

I suggest that immediately upon receipt this instruction you inform Rhee that you have important personal message from the President supplementary to the speech being delivered by the President.

Smith
  1. This telegram, drafted by Johnson and cleared in substance with Smith, was repeated to Tokyo as 2445 eyes only for Clark. A copy was sent to the White House for the information of Jackson and Adams.↩
  2. For a text of this speech, “The Chance for Peace,” see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953, pp. 179–188.↩
  3. Because of the time difference between Pusan and Washington, telegram 1225, supra, was received in Washington before noon on Apr. 15.↩
  4. The reference was to Rhee’s letter to Eisenhower, Apr, 9, which did not reach the President until Apr. 14; for the text, see p. 902.↩