May 14, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Participants: Senator John Stennis Mr. Acheson
The Secretary called Senator Stennis last night and discussed with him the serious situation we see if the mutual security funds are subjected to further cuts. He mentioned the two additional problems which are before us - the bringing of Germany into the defense of the West and the Indochinese situation where we are trying to build up a native army. The Secretary mentioned these factors as two which would really indicate the need for greater appropriations rather than less. He urged the Senator to think about it "prayerfully" and to do what he could.
The Senator made two points which he seemed to put forth as arguments for cuts. One was the fact that other funds such as Point IV were being increased far beyond expectations. The other was his concern over the large carry-over from last year. He said both of these things created doubt in his mind.
I had to go off the line and did not hear the end of the call, but from the portion that I heard I think little headway was made with Senator Stennis.
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[Handwritten: May 13] May 14, 1952
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Participants: Senator Wayne Morse Mr. Acheson
Last night Mr. Acheson called Senator Wayne Morse in Oregon to discuss with him the pending action of the Senate Armed Services Committee on the mutual security legislation. The Secretary said that this year we had two major things pending which really necessitated more money than we had had in the past. One of these is the bringing of Germany into the defense setup and the other was the hope that we would be able to train native armies in Indochina. The Secretary said that he hoped that Mr. Morse would not go along with any further cut in the appropriation. Senator Morse said he had no intention of supporting a further cut and would see that someone had his proxy. The Secretary thanked him for this information.
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May 14, 1962
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Participants: Senator Saltonstall Mr. Acheson
Mr. Acheson telephoned Senator Saltonstall this morning re the MSA bill. He said that we were very much concerned about the final action which the Armed Services Committee is going to take today on the bill. The Secretary said that he was hoping that the Committee would not recommend any further cut. The Secretary said that he hoped the Senator had read our note to the USSR which came out this morning. The Senator said he had read only the headlines.
The Secretary said that from that note the Senator would see that we are in a desperate game with the Russians at the present time to try to push through this consolidation. Everybody knows what we had last year in the bill and knows what we are likely to get this year in the bill. We have two new problems this year. One is the Germans coming in and the new divisions being raised; the other is the attempt to raise and extend capacity of the native army in Indochina. With another cut we cannot take on either of those responsibilities.
Mr. Saltonstall said that he let his proxy yesterday to vote the bill out as is, reserving the right to vote for any further cut on the floor. He said he thought the Committee vote would be extremely close; he didn't know just how it would go, it might go either way by one or two votes. The Senator said he wouldn't want to give the impression that if he voted the bill out as it now is, that he wouldn't vote to cut it further on the floor after he hears all the evidence. Senator Saltonstall said that he thought the Secretary wanted him to tell him frankly what his feelings were, and that is that he would vote as is without any cut but reserve his right to make up his mind after hearing the evidence on the Floor.
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The Secretary said that he would like to give him all the evidence that we have. He said that he talked at some length about the Middle East when he testified last Friday. He said that the Senator was not there but he would be delighted to go over all those parts of the bill with him. The Senator repeated that he would vote as is without any further cut but reserve his right to make up his mind after hearing the evidence. That was his feeling at the moment, he said, and he thought he would stick with it. The Senator said that it was a very difficult vote for him for several reasons, but that was his position.
The Secretary thanked the Senator.
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