White House Press Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 21, 1952 The President has today sent the following letter to the Honorable Stanton Griffis, accepting his resignation as American Am- bassador to Spain: Dear Mr. Griffis: It is with reluctance that I accept your resignation as American Ambassador to Spain, effective on a date to be established later. In again accepting your resignation from a position of high responsibility, I realize how generously you have given of your time and that you have responded on one occa- sion after another to the call of public service. I am sym- pathetic with your desire to return to private life and there- fore accede to your wishes. Throughout all your assignments you have represented the United States with great effectiveness and I want to thank you for all you have done. I particularly appreciate the out- standing contribution you have made, most recently, as Ameri- can Ambassador to Spain. With every good wish for your welfare and happiness, Very sincerely yours, HARRY S. TRUMAN AND Following is the text of Ambassador Griffis' letter to the President: American Embassy, Madrid, Spain, December 17, 1951. Dear Mr. President: The beginning of the New Year will, I hope, mark three milestones in my life: First, the end of ten years of almost uninterrupted service in government; second, my near approach to my sixty-fifth birthday; and third, if you will permit, my retirement as United States Ambassador to Spain. It is difficult to end my long and happy connec- tion with the Department of State under two great friends and distinguished secretaries: General Marshall and Dean Acheson, and, I must add, with countless other faithful and unselfish servants of the Department. It is impossible to feel that I am severing connections with you. You have honored me with four important ambassadorial posts, i.e., Poland, Egypt, Argentina, and finally, Spain. You have given me every possible aid, comfort, and cooperation. You have and will have always my deep admiration and respect, and my great personal affection. Yet, after ten years in government, the call back to private life is very strong, and I have much to do in the years to come. This letter, therefore, signifies my resignation as your Ambassador to Spain to take effect at your earliest con- venience.