October 27, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
Participants: Secretary Acheson Mr. Paul Martin, Vice Chairman of Canadian Delegation
Mr. Martin, who is taking Pearson's place on Committee I has been disturbed by a copy of the New York Compass and some reports from Ottawa, which give him the impression that at the Geneva Conference the Canadians and the British supported views on forcible exchange of prisoners which are now being supported by the Russians.
I have told him that he is in error about this and that I correctly stated the situation in my speech before Committee I. I told him that I had the minutes of the 1949 meetings and that I would make them available to him.
Butch Fisher tells me that in addition to the paper which I saw we have a much fuller legal brief with arguments, quotations from the record, etc., on this subject. I think it desirable that as soon as possible Lou Henkin, taking the relevant documents, should see the Canadian and also Selwyn Lloyd of the British delegation and go over these papers with them, so that they may not be confused about the situation and will be able to support the statement which I made.
At the Canadian party this afternoon I spoke to Jack Ross and asked him to remind me of this tomorrow. He, therefore, is alerted to the situation. I think both the British and the Canadian representatives require some close attention and education.
S:DAcheson:be