April 7, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item 1. Ratification of the Japanese Peace Treaty
The President informed me that he had been studying the memorandum which I sent to him on Friday and had approved the recommendation.
While we were discussing the matter, Mr. Murphy came in with two letter-- one to the Vice President and one to the Speaker--asking for the immediate enactment by the Congress of 60-day extension of emergency powers. These were signed and have been sent to the Hill.
We should be prepared to give all possible assistance to the pushing of these bills.
DA
S:DAcheson:mlm
April 7, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item 2. St. Lawrence Seaway
I reported to the President that Ambassador Wrong, under instructions from his Government, had asked me to lay before the President the view of the Canadian Government, that inasmuch as there seemed to be no possibility of congressional approval of the 1941 agreement they requested the President to give assistance which would be necessary to permit the all-Canadian project to go forward. This involved applications to the International Joint Commission and the possible naming of an agency to construct the hydro-electric power works on the United States side.
I also relayed the suggestion of Mr. Pearson, Canadian Minister of External Affairs, that it might be desirable for him to call upon the President over the next week-end when he would be in Washington.
Mr. Murphy was present during our discussion.
The President expressed the view that the Canadians had waited long enough for American congressional action; that they had been very patient and cooperative and that the Executive Branch of this Government should now go through with its undertakings.
I said to the President that the Canadian Government hoped that we could authorize the beginning of action not later than the first of May. The President thought that this was reasonable.
The President said that he would be very glad to see Mr. Pearson next Monday morning and directed me to be present at the interview and set up an hour with Mr. Connelly.
The President asked Mr. Murphy to make another survey to the congressional situation. I think that we in the Department should also have a report on this.
- 2 -
Mr. Murphy said that he had not given sufficient study to the steps which would be necessary to go forward with the Canadian project. I told him that Mr. Fisher was at work on this matter and I would ask Mr. Fisher to give Mr. Murphy the benefit of work which we had done.
Both the President and Mr. Murphy stated that if it was necessary to go forward with the project to have the New York Power Authority undertake the operation on the United States side, he was prepared to make that decision. Mr. Murphy hoped that in the proceeding before the Federal Power Commission it might be possible to have conditions imposed which would be useful in safeguarding the disposition of the American Power.
The immediate action required is to get an appointment on Monday morning, if necessary using my time. It might be helpful if I could have my appointment made to begin at 12:15 which would give an opportunity for St. Lawrence discussion and any other matters I might have to take up. I should then notify Ambassador Wrong.
DA
S:DAcheson:mlm
April 7, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item 3. Administrator for Point IV
I told the President that Mr. Harriman had doubts about Dr. Hannah, suggesting that the President might wish to speak to Mr. Harriman. I said that my first concern was to get an Administrator appointed because I thought we were taking serious risks with the Program by delaying on this matter.
DA
S:DAcheson:mlm
April 7, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item 4. Point IV Speech
I mentioned to the President that we had had some discussion with his staff about some observations presently contained in his speech, outlining the nature of my difficulty with these portions. The President agreed in the wisdom of eliminating them and gave me permission to call him if we did not have satisfactory talks with his staff.
DA
S:DAcheson:mlm
April 7, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item 5. Countervailing Duties
I outlined the problem, saying that I was not asking for any decision now but that if we were not able to work the matter out with Secretary Snyder I might ask for an appointment for the two of us.
DA
S:DAcheson:mlm
April 7, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item 6. Ambassador Nufer
The President was under the impression that he had approved the memorandum recommending Ambassador Nufer for the appointment. He will look for the memorandum and sent it over. However, we need not wait for this and we can get his formal approval by sending over the request for the agreement.
DA
S:DAcheson:mlm
April 7, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item 7. Approval of telegram to Ambassador Spruance
The President approved the telegram to Ambassador Spruance restating the present United States policy regarding Formosa.
DA
S:DAcheson:mlm