Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, James Webb, George W. Perkins, and Thomas D. Cabot

THINK 423 s. 158 the AND TOP SECRET SERVICE" coof June 26, 1951 The Secretary, at a meeting with Mr. Webb, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Cabot this morning, discussed some proposals which were con- sidered at the White House last night. The President said that he understood that General Eisenhower was discouraged and felt that he was not being used to the fullest extent. The President felt that a meeting between him and General Eisenhower was desirable but he said that he did not want to bring the General home because the General would be called to testify before various committees and would generally get involved in the political squalls going on in Washington at the present time. The President therefore suggested that it might be a good idea for him to meet General Eisenhower in Iceland and give the General certain broad new powers of negotiation with other Govern- ments to assist in getting the new effort going in Europe. General Marshall said he thought the President should consider very carefully both what he should do and when he should do it. He thought that it might not be desirable to have General Eisenhower come back until the principal witnesses had finished their presentation on the Omnibus Bill. The Secretary said there were two problems. First, there was the substance of what new powers were given him and what newoganiza- tion was established, et cetera. Second, there was the question of the manner in which it was done. The Secretary said he told the President that he thought it would be a mistake to get the General here or meet him unless there was something definite to present to General Eisenhower. The question was raised as to whether the meeting might take place in Argentia. General Marshall said that this was so close that General Eisenhower might as well come here. Mr. Acheson was inclined to think there was no real objection, if a meeting were to take place, to having General Eisenhower come back here. DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and J(D) or (18) Dept. of State letter, 5/2/26 FOP SECRET By NLT- HC NARS Date 6-25-76