<--PREV Doc #904  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #906 Document #905; May 29, 1954 To George Catlett Marshall 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"   Dear General Marshall: Apparently the Dutch government has prepared quite a document to present a statistical record of the effects in Holland of American aid given since the war and to express appreciation of the entire venture. I am told that the Dutch Ambassador desires to visit my office to present me with an especially prepared copy of the document.1 It occurs to me that because you were the author of the plan under which most of this aid has been given, it would be most appropriate for you to be present.2 If you share this feeling, I assure you of a most cordial welcome. In addition to the simple ceremony that is contemplated, I would truly enjoy a chance to chat with you for a few minutes, if you can spare the time. The presentation is to take place in my office at 12:00 noon on Friday, June fourth. By no means do I intend to impose upon your time or convenience in making a trip that could easily interfere with something else that you have planned for the day. But I do want you to know that for such an occasion I could not possibly fail to suggest your presence.3 Please convey my greetings to Mrs. Marshall, and, of course, with personal regard to yourself. Sincerely 1 On June 4 Dutch Ambassador to the United States Jan Herman van Roijen would present Eisenhower a 212-page, leather-bound volume entitled "Road to Recovery" (see New York Times, June 5, 1954). 2 On June 5, 1947, former Secretary of State Marshall had proposed the U.S. plan to help rebuild Europe through economic aid. For background on the Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program) see Galambos, Chief of Staff, no. 1482; and Hogan, The Marshall Plan. 3 Marshall would attend the ceremony (see the President's daily appointments). Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. To George Catlett Marshall, 29 May 1954. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 905. 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/905.cfm <--PREV Doc #904  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #906

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