March 4, 1949
Subject: Inclusion of Italy in the North Atlantic Pact
Senator Connally telephoned the Secretary this morning that when he tried to arrange for a meeting last evening Senator Vandenberg had gone home. Vandenberg's position was that it was the responsibility of the President and the Secretary of State and that he didn't care to submit anything further. Senator George appeared to be more opposed to it now than originally. Connally said that since neither of the Senators cared to submit any further views, there was no point in trying to get them together.
The Secretary said he had reported his talk with Connally to the President, and that the President believed we would damage the treaty badly if we tried to fight this thing.
Mr. Acheson stated that he could say to the French that we agreed in principle to include Italy in the Pact but that she should not be included as one of the original signatories, and added that he would negotiate further and see what could be done.
The Secretary said he had told the President that Senator Connally had been very helpful, and the Secretary thanked Connally for his cooperation.
Connally closed by saying that the Secretary might say that the Senate was pretty determined about it.
MSC