Memorandum of Telephone Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson and Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Lovett

173 s June 8, 1951 5 RECORDAND SERVICET MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION Participants: Mr. Lovett Mr. Acheson Mr. Lovett telephoned the Secretary about 9 o'clock this morning to tell him that General Marshall arrived in Japan last night and probably was by now in Korea. Mr. Acheson said that he had heard the news over the radio last night. Mr. Lovett said that General Marshall and General Ridgway had had the thing laid on for a long time, and that the General had with him Tony McCarlis. Mr. Lovett had been asked by General Marshall to check on two points with the Secretary (in neither of which General Marshall hoped Mr. Acheson would find it necessary or desirable to get the General involved at all). The first point is the Jap treaty. General Marshall wondered if there was anything the Secretary felt General Marshall should do about it. General Marshall hoped not, since he did not feel that he was thoroughly informed on it. Mr. Acheson said he thought that was right; he would check with Mr. Rusk, whom he thought would agree with him on that point. The second item is, if, for any conceivable reason General Marshall would have to go to Formosa. Mr. Lovett said that the General would rather not do this because of his past association with Chiang and the Madame However, he would do whatever Mr. Acheson thought best. Mr. Acheson said he was not sure on this second item, but he would confer with Mr. Rusk and then have Mr. Rusk call Mr. Lovett. Mr. Lovett said it was thought that the General's trip there might stimul te speculation and could be embarrassing to the Secretary and also to the Department of Defense. General Marshall said he would not go there unless specifically requested to do so by Mr. Acheson. The General thought the liabilities outweighed the assets. DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 1-12-24 J(D) or (i) SECRET Dept. of State letter, Aug I 1973 Bar MIHI NARS