April 4, 1950
Mr. Charles Murphy of the White House telephoned the Secretary this morning. He said he had talked with the President and the President wanted him to discuss with the Secretary the matter of a speech by the President on foreign policy shortly after the president's return. The President spoke with the congressional leaders yesterday and they are in favor of it.
Mr. Murphy said he would like to talk with someone in the Department about the draft speech after he has had a talk with Mr. Nitze tomorrow concerning a memorandum on the directives of January 31.
The Secretary told Mr. Murphy he would call him tomorrow to set a time for discussion of the draft now under preparation in the Department.
The Secretary inquired of Mr. Murphy how long he thought the speech should be. Mr. Murphy said he thought 15 minutes was better for the president, but he doubted if the subject could be adequately covered in 15 minutes and thought it should be 20 to 25 minutes. It was also agreed between them that the speech should be made from the White House over the radio without an audience.
L.D.B.
S:DHM