Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Congressman Eugene Keogh, Congressman James J. Murphy, and Jack McFall

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 8/8 007255 b44 Memorandum of Conversation 41 DATE: January 31, 1950 SUBJECT: United States Spanish Policy PARTICIPANTS: Congressman Eugene J. Keogh ARCHIVES it 'NATIONAL RECORDS AND Congressman James J. Murphy SERVICE" The Secretary of State Mr. Jack K. McFall COPIES TO: EUR - Mr. Dunham H Staff 1-1493 Congressmen Keogh and Murphy called on me today to discuss the Spanish question. Congressman Keogh did practically all of the talking and the thene of his statements was that he wished to commend the statement of policy that the Department recently issued in connection with the Spanish question. He said that he had traveled throughout France and Spain during the past summer and in the latter country particularly he had, unofficially and unofficiously, talked with several score people through- out the area sounding then out diplomatically on their ideas about our relationship with Spain. Keogh stated he found en almost unanimous sense of feeling (except for an extreme sealot fringe) that the United States ahould accord Spain full diplomatic recognition in order that that country might be treated as a Christian, Ood-fearing country, on a basis of equality with the other nations of Western Europe. Keogh pointed out that the people with whom he talked could not understand why, when we were so anti-Communistically disposed, we should not work in close harmony with nations such as Spain who were inclined in the same direction. I asked him whether he had had an opportunity to discuss with anybody in France the feelings of the French people toward Spain. He replied that he unfortunately had only the ability to speak in English, and that not too well, and therefore he had little opportunity to exchange notes with the Freneh on the subject. I then pointed out to him that both the DECLASSIFIED French E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, 12.2925 10.5.1913 By NLT- HC , NARS Date 6776 RESTRICTED