Presidential Papers, Doc#897 To John Foster Dulles, 26 May 1954. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Doc #898

Document #897; May 26, 1954
To John Foster Dulles
Series: EM, AWF, International Series: Thailand
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"

 

Memorandum for the Secretary of State: Bill Donovan agreed to stay as Ambassador to Thailand for one year. That year will be up in August, and I know that he wants to leave his post at that time.1 (It is possible, of course, that he would stay an additional two or three months if we found it vitally necessary.)2

Two things occur to me in connection with this item. First, we should be exploring the field--possibly even get Donovan's advice--to determine the individual who should take his place. This will be fairly difficult because it is my understanding that he has established a very fine position for himself with the people of Thailand.3 Undoubtedly they will be greatly disappointed when he leaves, and so we must have a really top flight person to take his place. Incidentally I heard a report only yesterday that his predecessor--now retired--had served American interests so poorly that our prestige in that region was at an all time low when he left.4

The second point we should take up with respect to Donovan is the possibility of using him in some other capacity. While I think he might take some full time job in Washington, I do not at this moment think of any prospective vacancy that would occur in a position befitting his age, experience and standing. But I am sure that he would be quite ready to serve in an informal, unpaid capacity that would allow him to resume his private practice. I think he has some financial problems that might make this sort of solution most acceptable to him.5

At your convenience let's talk over these matters. In the meantime I shall acknowledge his letter, which notifies me of his desire to leave his post in August (copy enclosed with this memorandum).6

1 William Joseph Donovan had accepted the position at Eisenhower's personal request and had assumed his duties in August 1953 (see Donovan to Eisenhower, June 3, 1953 and Eisenhower to Donovan, June 9, 1953, AWF/N). For background on Donovan see Eisenhower Papers, vols. I-XIII. On May 7 Donovan had written Eisenhower that he had accepted the assignment "because of your confidence that I could assist in making Thailand a bastion of resistance in the struggle which presently threatens the free world" (AWF/I: Thailand). "You foresaw the developing crisis in Southeast Asia; and the events of recent months have more than justified your belief in the crucial importance of this area." Donovan wished to give the Administration ample time to choose a successor and "enable that person to become familiar with the methods and means, including the unconventional, we have employed both to sustain Thailand's determination to resist and to weaken the aggressive capabilities of the enemy. You will find this Mission alert and capable," Donovan concluded, "and worthy of the leadership of an able and loyal person." For more on Donovan's year in Thailand see Corey Ford, Donovan of OSS, (Boston, 1970), pp. 326-28; and Anthony Cave Brown, The Last Hero: Wild Bill Donovan (New York, 1982), pp. 822-29.

2 Donovan would consult with Dulles in Washington and would offer to remain as a special representative, but not as ambassador. This proposal was not accepted, and Donovan returned to the United States on August 21 (ibid., p. 829; see also Dulles to Donovan, July 13, 1954, AWF/D-H).

3 John E. Peurifoy, former Ambassador to Guatemala, would become Donovan's successor, assuming his duties on October 2.

4 Edwin F. Stanton, former Assistant Chief of Far Eastern Affairs, had been Ambassador to Thailand from 1949 until 1953. This report may have come from Raymond A. Spruance, Ambassador to the Philippines, who had met with Eisenhower on May 25.

5 Donovan had asked Marcellus Hartley Dodge, a Columbia University trustee and good friend of Eisenhower, to deliver his letter of resignation and to tell the President that because of his financial circumstances he could not continue in his "present capacity" (ibid., pp. 827-28). Eisenhower had met with Dodge earlier this same day.

6 "It was with a feeling closely akin to dismay that I read your letter of May seventh," Eisenhower would write Donovan. He praised the ambassador for the "good work . . . started in that critical area" and asked Donovan to talk with him after his return about "some consultative function that would appeal to you" (Eisenhower to Donovan, May 26, 1954, AWF/I: Thailand). Donovan, in failing health, would return to his law practice.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. To John Foster Dulles, 26 May 1954. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 897. 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/897.cfm

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