Letter from Secretary of State Dean Acheson to Herbert Morrison

July 19, 1951 Doar r. Corrison: I was most happy to get, through Cir Cliver Franks, your thoughts on possible developments in Korea. It is most helpful to me to get your ideas on this personal and tentative basis an. I hasten to give you mine in the suze way. by colleagues in the apartment will go over with mc what you have said and I shall write you again in a short time. It may be useful to you in the meantime to have the incressions which have been forming in TV mind. These, of course, do not repre- sent governmental views. I was delighted that you express such confidence in General Ridgway. I have known him for 8030 time and everything that I have Been of him has increased EV admiration. In fact, SODO years ago I tried to steal him from the Army for is limited period. 3..t I failed. I 373 Elad now that I did not succeed because I ap sure that it would have interrupted his military career and that he would not now be where he is. liq is a fine solcier and a.ministrator. In addition, he has gifts of loadership and statesmanship which are just what is needed at the present Cirou both in Japan and in Korea. think you can be sure that he will conduct the negotiations with wisdom and firnness, that he understands the delicacy of the situation, the importance of the objectives, and that he will do nothing provocative or untoward. You can be sure also that we will keep in close touch with you throughout the negotiations through ir Oliver Franks and Mr. Gifford as well as by personal correspondence when the time per- sits. Only by such consultation can We have the full understanding which the Great importance of the matters at stake requires. I think my own attitude toward the possibility of success in the negotiations is one, more of caution than of optimian. I agree with you that the signs point to a desire on the part of the Ruesians to end the fighting, but I think that they wish to and it on terms and in a way which will not interfere with the achievement of their pur posea. I, too, am less sure about the Chinese. But again believe that if they do desire to end the fighting, it is on tarus which will The Right Honorable Herbert Morrison, Socretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London. DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065. Sec. 3-402 mob ran ate Dept. TOTO 1979 PUT GLUNCI NLT NARS, Date 6.10-10