<--PREV Doc #1652  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #1654 Document #1653; December 5, 1955 To Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series ; Category: Personal The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XVI - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part IX: "Concerning my political intentions"; December 1955 to April 1956 Chapter 18: On "an almost normal schedule"   Dear Nelson: Thank you very much for coming up this morning and outlining for me the kind of work that has been occupying your mind. I was also interested to see the work of the Panel that you have gotten together.1 After you left today, I saw a story in the "Times" to the effect that we were splitting up within the Cabinet and staff, and were having practically a "civil war." I know you understand how anxious I am that we always have full, free and thorough discussion and argument about the differing opinions within the official family circle. But it is exceedingly important that such issues not be turned over to the newspapers for trial and decision.2 I know that you will not be a party to putting any of this information in front of the newspapers, but I hope that in discussing it with others, you will warn them of the need for keeping this on a confidential basis.3 As ever 1 On this morning Rockefeller, accompanied by Sherman Adams, met with the President at his Gettysburg farm. Among the subjects discussed was the report of a group which had been organized by Rockefeller, following the Geneva Conference, to develop a national plan for long-term military, economic, technological and ideological programs. For background on the report, titled "Psychological Aspects of United States Strategy," (also called the Quantico II Panel) see State, Foreign Relations, 1955-1957, vol. XIX, National Security Policy, pp. 153-54; see also Rockefeller to Eisenhower, December 2, 1955, AWF/A; and for background see nos. 1474, 1490 and 1512. 2 Eisenhower had been displeased by an article on the front page of this day's New York Times reporting that Rockefeller's meeting with the President had been called to discuss a possible split in the Administration over the scope of foreign aid programs. Rockefeller's name had appeared prominently in the article as a "leader of forces within the administration pressing for a bolder . . . program of aid to the under-developed countries of Asia and Africa." The report had included the names of high Administration officials who opposed the need for such a program. The journalist had pointed out, however, that "under normal circumstances the final decision would be up to the President." On this same day Eisenhower had telephoned Treasury Secretary Humphrey to discuss Rockefeller's position regarding foreign aid policies. Humphrey had likened Rockefeller to "a little dog `running around yipping at everybody's heels,'" and had scored him for "divulging information to the press. . . ." Eisenhower had observed that "certain of [Rockefeller's] ideas sounded very good" but had added that it was necessary to consider "other viewpoints" as well (Telephone conversation, Eisenhower and Humphrey, Dec. 5, 1955, AWF/D). 3 A chagrined Rockefeller, writing on December 7, said that he had been "absolutely distressed" about the New York Times article of December 5, and that he "infinitely regret[ted] its implications" (AWF/A). He explained that his long experience as an "active proponent of strong U.S. participation in an expanding world economy," "coupled with [his] enthusiasm for a dynamic long-range program" had "contributed to this most unfortunate situation." He told the President, "I doubly regret this occurrence, because, on top of everything else, it has added to your burdens." Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. Personal To Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, 5 December 1955. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 1653. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/1653.cfm <--PREV Doc #1652  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #1654

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