September 26, 1952
Meeting with the President
Item 1. Trade with Communist China
I left with the President the memorandum, including the annex regarding the figures on gross tonnage and cargo carried in trade with Communist China, pointing out some of the discrepancies between the report which had been made to him on the basis of which he sent me this memorandum and the figures as we understood them to be.
I also pointed out that this whole matter was currently the study of a joint intelligence committee in London. The president believed that it would not be wise for him to raise this matter with Mr. Churchill unless and until the full development of the facts and discussion through official channels that seemed desirable.
SDA:ma
September 25, 1952
Meeting with the President
Item 2. The case of the Yugoslav Churchman
I reported to the President that we had received a request for intervention from the Apostolic Delegate as well as the request which had come from Cardinal Stritch to the President. I showed him the telegram which we had sent to Ambassador Allen and assured him we would follow the matter energetically.
DA:ma
September 25, 1952
Meeting with the President
Item 3. Iran
I reported that a cable had come in containing Premier Mossadegh's reply to Mr. Churchill and a note from Mr. Mossadegh to the President. I explained that the message had not been completely decoded and that it would be sent to him as soon as this had been done. The message was sent to the President later in the afternoon.
S DA:ma
September 25, 1952
Meeting with the President
Item 4. Letter of thanks to Miss Truman
The President referred to his note to me of September 22 regarding an acknowledgment of the present which Mrs. Vargas had sent to Miss Truman. He said that contrary to her earlier expectation Miss Truman had now returned to Washington and would write to Mrs. Vargas herself.
S DA :ma
September 25, 1952
Meeting with the President
Item 5. Mexican Air Agreement
I reported to the President that in accordance with the arrangement which he had made we had had a most helpful conference with Mr. Nyrop of CAB. As a result of this discussion, the CAB would prepare, and we would lay before the President on his return to Washington, recommendations for the minimum position which would constitute for the United States an acceptable air agreement with Mexico. The President approved of these recommendations. We are supposed to proceed at once with negotiations with Mexico. The President said that he would be in New York on the 11th of October and would be in Washington beginning Sunday morning, October 12th for several days. He could see us either in New York or in Washington. I pointed out to him that the General Assembly was opening in New York on Tuesday, October 14, and that I should probably go up there on Sunday evening. We tentatively agreed on a conference for Sunday morning, October 12.
I again mentioned the matter of having Mr. George Baker carry on the negotiations which the President approved entirely. I said that I wished to have this matter entirely clear with his staff so that no misunderstanding might arise. He said that this would be done but the matter was entirely in my hands and he wished it conducted in accordance with my desires. I pointed out the necessity for a small group rather than a large one, with which he agreed. I said that we might think it desirable to have Mr. David Stowe of his staff assist Mr. Baker. He said that Mr. Stowe would be entirely at our disposal and would act in every way in accordance with our plans for the negotiations.
S DA:ma
September 25, 1952
Meeting with the President
Item 6. Debate on Korea at the UN
I pointed out to the President that this matter might arise in the GA prior to the November election and that Mr. Vishinsky might both make capital in the UN over current popular discussions in the United States or confuse those discussions by what he said, or both. He said he was aware of this possibility but was not particularly disturbed by it and thought that we should be guided by what we considered to be the wise course in handling the matter in the UN.
S DA:;ma