CABINET MEETING, DECEMBER 22, 1950
10:00 AM
All present
Cabinet gave clock to President.
GEN BRADLEY
Briefed Cabinet on Korea.
THE PRESIDENT
Asked State to give report on meeting in Brussels & London this past week.
STATE
Agreed to have Germans organize combat teams and for the present that is all that is contemplated for German re-armament.
Appointment of General Eisenhower as Supreme Commander in Europe by the President was well received in Europe.
Problem now is to get German cooperation as they now feel that they are key to Western Europe and are in a position to ask for concessions from Allies.
Rejected Russian proposal for meeting of Foreign Ministers as the basis for the Russian proposal is not satisfactory to Allies.
State is to testify on Hill today and would like to outline reasons why U. S. cannot take a position of isolation and withdraw from our commitments in Eurasia and Far East. This would result in complete control of Eurasia by Soviet.
THE PRESIDENT
The policy is approved by the Security Council and the President. It is important that this position is made clear to the republic and to the rest of the world - especially in view of the isolationist speech of former President Hoover on Wednesday night. The administration's position is an outgrowth of studied and decisions since Jan 1946.
Will try to deliver message on State of the Union to Congress about Jan 8. Asked members of Cabinet to forward him suggestions for message as quickly as possible.
P.M.G.
Agreed that message should be held for the 8th or 9th of January in order to allow time for re-organization of new Congress which convenes Jan 3rd.
(There was lengthy discussion as to whether Acheson statement should or should not credit Security Council decision on our foreign policy with approval of the President.)
THE PRESIDENT
Our present policy was initiated on December 30, 1945, when President on U. S. S. Williamsburg reversed the then Secty of State Byrnes and decided on firm policy toward Soviet.
V.P.
This policy was arrived at by the President after consulting advisors, members of Congress and others and was not a capricious decision.
MARSHALL
We have 21,000 men in labor battalions in Germany now. The development of these units has progressed well and can be moved into the Military Constabulary without delay. We will have 50 or 60,000 men in such units in very short time.
THE PRESIDENT
Next meeting will be Dec. 29.
11:00