357. Memorandum From Ann C. Whitman to Acting Secretary of State Murphy0
The President would like the following message to be sent to the Secretary of State. (As I am sure you know, he always wants me to send such messages through the Acting Secretary.)
“Secret
“Dear Chris:
“Thank you for your periodic reports. I saw the press stories out of London concerning Selwyn Lloyd, as well as Macmillan’s denial of their authenticity. It is my impression that Selwyn has grown very much in maturity and ability in his job. Personally I would hate to see him transferred. Such things are barred from public comment by us, but I am hopeful that the reports are erroneous. It was unfortunate that such gossip should be published at this particular time.
“I think that your rebuttal of Gromyko’s charge that West Berlin propaganda and subversive activities create danger for the East Germans and the Soviets was both necessary and effective. Regarding Gromyko’s typewritten draft protocol for West Germany,1 it is a typical Soviet trick to advance a proposal that is completely unacceptable. They cannot conceive of a conference that must first of all be a test of patience and endurance. I do hope that Gromyko took my words seriously when I warned him2 that no Summit meeting was possible except as some progress at the Foreign Secretary level would warrant it.
“With warm regard, As ever, DE”
Many thanks.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series. Secret. The message was transmitted to Herter in Tocah 62 on June 2 at 3:51 p.m.↩
- Document 349.↩
- See Document 338.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩