CABINET MEETING, DECEMBER 8, 1950
Tobin - absent
Sawyer - absent
Brannan - absent
McCormick for Agric.
THE PRESIDENT
British meetings will conclude today at 11:00 meeting. Plan to put out paper to sum up areas of U.S. British agreement and also areas of disagreement which will have to be negotiated further.
(2) Will have to come to conclusion by next Tuesday on issuing proclamation for total mobilization. This will probably result in national broadcast.
BARKLEY
There is a growing feeling on the Hill that they are not being told enough as what goes on.
ACHESON
Thinks the President should issue proclamation and make speech.
MARSHALL
Wants authority to state to appropriations committee that President is considering a national emergency. This will expedite action on funds for production and military expansion.
THE PRESIDENT
Authorized Marshall to do so.
MARSHALL
Gen Collins is back from Korea. Because of weather he did not see very much of fighting. Situation at present time is encouraging. Thinks for a time we can hold a line in Korea - but not for long if more help is not sent into Korea. We have possibility of having large area in Korea under U. N. protection - unless we are exposed to heavy Communist air attacks.
ACHESON
Talks with Indians and others with Chinese Communists have been a complete failure. The Chinese are being directed by the Russians. It is not a case of U. S. against China but U.S. and U.N. against Russia.
In Western Europe the French delay of 3 months in agreeing to build up Germany has done great harm. Germans now feel they are the key to Western Europe and have gotten to feel that we will have to make concessions to them. It is important now to let them stew for a time.
10:45