April 5, 1950 The Secretary telephoned Mr. John Foster Dulles in New York to tell him that, with the approval of the President, he would like very much to have him come down and work with him as a Consultant. He said he had also talked with Senator Vandenberg, who thought it was a very wise course and said he would get in touch with Mr. Dulles to urge that he accept. Mr. Dulles said he had called him last night.
Mr. Dulles suggested that perhaps it would be better for him to have a talk with the President about it, because he would like to feel that there was "reestablishment of personal confidence." The Secretary told him he President would be back in Washington next Monday or Tuesday, and if Mr. Dulles wished, he would certainly arrange an appointment, although he did not feel it was necessary. Mr. Dulles said he had plans to go away for a vacation tomorrow night, and the Secretary said he would certainly not want to disrupt his plans for a rest.
The Secretary told Mr. Dulles that what he hoped he would do was come down and be informed and familiar with all the major problems and help with consultation with the Congress and get these matters on a basis of unified support. He told him there is the problem of the Far East, work toward proceeding with a Japanese Peace treaty, bringing about peace in India; and then also we are reviewing the whole question of our position in the cold war, -- the sort of problem the Secretary discussed with Mr. Dulles the other day.
Mr. Dulles said that while he has a great interest in the Far East, he does not have the knowledge of this area that he has of Europe, and the Secretary said the work to be done was not so much a matter of knowledge, but of sound judgment.
Mr. Dulles said he thought when the news was out he would be asked about a commitment for next fall. He said he has no love for politics and he really disliked the thought of being in the Senate for six years where he would have to spend 90% of his time on matters in which he has little interest, when he feels he is better qualified in foreign affairs and could be more useful in this field. Mr. Dulles said in New York they are interested in next fall and he would like to avoid now making any commitment because he felt it would look like a deal had been made. The Secretary agreed it was important to avoid giving such an impression, and said they certainly wanted to emphasize they were not asking for a commitment. Mr. Dulles reiterated that if he is doing really interesting work and serving a useful purpose in the Department, he will not enter the campaign, but thinks it much better not to make a public statement to that effect now. The Secretary agreed.
Mr. Dulles said he knew the Secretary would like to make some statement on his appointment and he thought it desirable to do so before he leaves on vacation. He mentioned that Mr. Rusk is in New York and asked if he knew about the Secretary's plans. The Secretary said he knew all about it and Mr. Dulles said he would try to talk with him at lunch and call the Secretary this afternoon, at which time he hoped the Secretary could have a draft statement which they could discuss.
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE THE SECRETARY April 5, 1950
Mr. John Foster Dulles telephoned this afternoon to inquire about the statement which the Secretary planned to release to the Press regarding Mr. Dulles' appointment as Consultant to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary proceeded to read the statement as follows:
"At the request of the President and the Secretary of State, Mr. John Foster Dulles has agreed to serve as Consultant to the Secretary of State. In this capacity Mr. Dulles will advise Secretary Acheson on broad problems in the field of foreign affairs and on specific lines of action which this Government should follow. His work will not be confined to any specific area of the world. His broad background and wealth of experience qualify him for consideration of problems in Europe, the Far East and other areas of the world. Mr. Dulles, whose cooperation has been extremely valuable to the Department in the past will take office April ____ after completing a brief vacation.
"A biographical sketch of Mr. Dulles is attached."
Mr. Dulles wondered if there might not be inserted some mention of his experience with the United Nations, to which the Secretary replied that we might say at the end of the sentence about his experience - "as well as problems affecting the work of the United Nations".
Mr. Dulles then inquired about the term "office". The Secretary said it was not a statutory office that would require a confirmation but it would be a regular office in the Department, and the Secretary suggested that instead of referring to his assignment as "office", the term "will assume his duties" might be used. Mr. Dulles added that it "wasn't a very distinguished sounding office". The Secretary said the whole phrase would read "will assume his duties in about two week after completing a brief vacation".
Mr. Dulles asked when the Secretary wished to make the release and the Secretary said it was up to him. Mr. Dulles said he would like very much as a matter of courtesy to let Governor Dewey know of his plans, which the Secretary said he understood. It was agreed that between eleven and twelve tomorrow morning might be a good time for the release, and that Mr. Dulles would telephone the Secretary if he had any change in plans.
There was some discussion back and forth about Mr. Dulles relinquishing his chairmanships, etcetera. Mr. Acheson agreed it might be a good thing, to avoid any embarrassment, to break off with his law firm, but that he did not think he need worry about his connection with the Rockefeller Foundation, etc.
It was agreed that Mr. Butterworth should go up on Friday, before Mr. Dulles left on his vacation to brief Mr. Dulles on the work in connection with the Japanese Peace treaty.
Mr. Dulles called back again a few minutes later and asked the Secretary if he wished him to tell him in advance what he would say to the press after his appointment was made public. The Secretary said he was entirely confident in just leaving that to Mr. Dulles.
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