DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: July 6, 1950
SUBJECT: Ambassador Dudley's call on the Secretary
PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary Ambassador Dudley Mr. Sims - AME
COPIES TO: Mr. McGhee - NEA Ambassador Waynick Mr. Berry - ANE Mr. Burns - ANE/E Mr. Gorlitz - E
During a courtesy call this afternoon, Ambassador Dudley first referred to the splendid cooperation and assistance rendered him by the NEA Bureau and other Departmental offices. I expressed my personal gratification for the Ambassador's complimentary references to the Department, and stated that I had heard a great many favorable comments about the good work which he has been doing in Liberia.
Ambassador Dudley referred to the Senate Appropriation Committee's unfavorable action on the Point Four appropriation, and said that he was greatly disturbed over this action which cut the $35,000,000 figure for Point Four to $10,000,000. I assured the Ambassador that I too was distressed over this action and that the President regarded it as most unfortunate. I said I had talked with the President this morning, and that plans are now being formulated to make a strong fight for the restoration of the $35,000,000 figure or an account in excess of $10,000,000. I pointed out that I regarded Liberia as the one country where we can show the quickest results with Point Four technical assistance, principally because of our economic and public health missions which are already functioning within the country. Ambassador Dudley referred to his meeting with Ambassador Waynick this morning, and said that he had offered to assist Ambassador Waynick by enlisting the support of private groups such as the NAACP and the various mission boards in New York which could make direct appeals to Congress. I expressed approval of this proposal, but suggested that efforts along this line be deferred until Mr. McFall determines exactly what approach should be made to the Congress.
Ambassador Dudley told me of his recent conversation with President Truman concerning our efforts to furnish Liberia with a small military training mission to help organize an efficient internal security force for Liberia. He said that President Truman promised to speak personally to the Secretary of Defense to determine what we might be able to do in this regard. I remarked that I would do what I could to assist in this matter, and would await further developments which I assumed would originate in the Department of Defense.
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