<--PREV Doc #858  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #860 Document #859; May 5, 1954 To Daniel I. J. Thornton Series: EM, AWF, Name Series The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XV - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part V: Maintaining "a united defense"; April 1954 to August 1954 Chapter 10: Losing the war "they could not win"   You are already aware of my deep interest in the Korean situation and of my hope that the Governors' Committee which is to visit the region will be truly helpful in reporting to the American people on the progress of rehabilitation there.1 Because you are to head that Committee I consider that it would be advantageous if you could come here for a briefing as to the details of the U.S. program as it affects that country. If you can come here even if for one day only, I would be most grateful. I suggest Friday or Saturday of this week. May I have the favor of a reply.2 With warm regard 1 For background see no. 440. Colorado Governor Thornton had recently ended speculation about his running for the Senate in the fall by declaring that he would not be a candidate for the seat (New York Times, Apr. 4, 1954; see also Public Papers of the Presidents: Eisenhower, 1954, p. 277). Eisenhower, however, was reluctant to accept his friend and golfing partner's decision and earlier this same day had telephoned Thornton to discuss his political future (AWF/D). "I don't want to talk about this as any attraction--I know what your desires are and I don't blame you," he had told the governor. "My hopefulness depends a great deal upon you. I would urge that you make no negative statements before you see me. It is very serious with me--so serious that I hope you will avoid any statements out there until we can have another talk about it." Eisenhower then suggested that his friend come and talk to him about it, using the "drought situation or Korea as an excuse." "Require definite reason for my visit to release here," the governor wired back, "and would appreciate reason being in your wire" (Thornton to Eisenhower, May 5, 1954, AWF/N). Another copy of this message, in Eisenhower's own hand, is in ibid. 2 The two friends would meet for one-half hour on Saturday, May 8, before an afternoon of golf. The governor would remain at the White House until 7:30 that evening. For developments see no. 867, and for the Governors' Committee report after their sixteen-day visit to Korea see U.S. Department of State Bulletin 31, no. 787 (July 26, 1954), 124-25. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Daniel I. J. Thornton, 5 May 1954. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 859. 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/859.cfm <--PREV Doc #858  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #860

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