Memorandum of Telephone Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson and John Foster Dulles

SECRET H-6 Memorandum for files of Telephone Conversation - 8 April 5, 1950 AND RECORDA SERVICE* on exoled oa ob of Ji of bris bris The Secretary telephoned Mr. John Foster Dulles in New York to entell him that, with the approval of the President, he would like very much to have him come down and work with him as a Consultant. He said he bego had also talked with Senator Vandenberg, who thought it was a very wise au course and said he would get in touch with Mr. Dulles to urge that he acdept. Mr. Dulles said he had called him last night. Mr. Dulles suggested that perhaps it would be better for him to have a talk with the President about it, because he would like to feel that there was "'reestablishment of personal confidence." The Secretary tol d him the President would be back in Washington next Monday or Tuesday, and if Mr. Dulles wished, he would certainly arrange an appointment, although he did not feel it was necessary. Mr. Dulles said he had plans to go away for a vacation tomorrow night, and the Secretary said he would certainly not want to disrupt his plans for a rest. The Secretary told Mr. Dulles that what he hoped he would do was come down and be informed and familiar with all the major problems and help with consultation with the Congress and get these matters on a basis of unified support. He told him there is the problem of the Far East, work toward proceeding with a Japanese Peace treaty, bringing about peace in India; and then also we are reviewing the whole question of our position in the cold war, the sort of problem the Secretary discussed with Mr. Dulles the other day. Mr. Dulles said that while he has a great interest in the Far East, he does not have the knowledge of this area that he has of Europe, and the Secretary said the work to be done was not so much a matter of knowledge, but of sound judgment. Mr. Dulles said he thought when the news was out he would be asked about a commitment for next fall. He said he has no love for politics and he really dislike d the thought of being in the Senate for six years where he would have to spend 90 % of his time on matters in which he has little interest, when he feels he is better qualified in foreign affairs and could be more useful in this field. Mr. Dulles said in New York they are interested in next fall and he would like to avoid now making any commitment because he felt it would look like a deal had bedn made. The Secretary agreed it was important to avoid giving such an impression, and said they certainly wanted to emphasize they were not asking for a commitment. Mr. Dilles reiterated that if he is doing really interesting work and serving a useful purpose in the Department, he will not enter the campaign, but fhinks it much better not to make a public statement to that effect now. The Secretary agreed. Mr. Dulles said he knew the Secretary would tike to make some statement