Presidential Papers, Doc#1812A Cable. Confidential To Alfred Maximilian Gruenther, 28 March 1956. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Document #1812A; March 28, 1956
To Alfred Maximilian Gruenther
Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series ; Category: Cable. Confidential
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 19: The goal: A "durable peace"

 

Dear Al:1 I am sorry if my letter of some days ago reached you at a moment that confusion was created in your mind concerning my attitude toward the announcement you wanted to make.2

Upon receiving information of your cable to Radford, I immediately stated that I was willing to abide by your judgment even though the Secretary of State felt that some definite embarrassment might result.3

As of this moment, I am not sure what you finally decided to do, but I do clearly appreciate your predicament since I have so frequently during the past seven or eight years found myself in similar dilemmas.

Assuming that you did not make any reference to the matter, I shall request the Secretary of State to initiate conversations with other NATO members to inform them first of your decision, and secondly, to make two inquiries. The first of these would be whether another American commander is desired, and the second question, if the answer to the first is affirmative, whether Norstad would be acceptable.

To some extent at least I agree with the apprehensions expressed by the Secretary of State, since it is clear that no other military leader enjoys the confidence and trust that is so enthusiastically accorded you by the fourteen NATO nations. However, if at the moment of announcing your intended retirement we could likewise state that the fourteen governments had already unanimously requested Norstad to succeed you, adverse effects would be minimized.

Of course if you did decide to mention the matter, then the question of timing rather disappears.4

In any event, whatever you did, you can be certain of my approval and support.

I think that the tripartite conference at White Sulphur Springs was quite a success.5 Incidentally, the place itself is such a delightful one that this unquestionably had something to do with the splendid atmosphere that was noticeable at every one of our meetings. As you know, I am determined to develop, expand and strengthen our ties with Mexico to the end that that country will constitute a strong and friendly ally on our Southern flank. This can be accomplished only if we do our utmost to help her in economic, social and security problems. As ever

1 Copies of this cable were sent to Secretary Dulles and JCS Chairman Arthur Radford.

2 Gruenther had told Eisenhower on March 22 that "the newshawks" were beginning to pressure him regarding his contemplated retirement. He believed he should make an announcement fairly soon. However, Gruenther said, if the disclosure complicated Eisenhower's life in any way, he would "hold off indefinitely" (AWF/A; for background see no. 1650). In response, Eisenhower had asked Gruenther to bear with him a little longer (Eisenhower to Gruenther, Mar. 23, 1956, AWF/A).

3 Gruenther had not received Eisenhower's request when he told Radford that, because of news leaks, he planned to announce his retirement on March 28 at a SHAPE luncheon. In a subsequent conversation Eisenhower told Radford that the "announcement can't hurt if he simply says he plans to retire at the end of the year" (Telephone conversations, Eisenhower and Radford, Mar. 27, 1956, AWF/D).

4 After receiving Eisenhower's letter, Gruenther had written the President on March 27 that he had interpreted the President's words to mean that he should not announce his retirement. "Naturally," he said, "I am more than willing to comply" (ibid.). For developments see no. 1832.

5 On Eisenhower's meeting with the Canadian prime minister and the president of Mexico see nos. 1790 and 1810.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Cable. Confidential To Alfred Maximilian Gruenther, 28 March 1956. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 1812A. 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/1812A.cfm

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