WISNER CONVERSATION WITH MR. FORRESTAL

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02793607
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2021
• Case Number: F-2017-00953
• Publication Date: December 17, 1948

Approved for Release: 2021/11/15 CO2793607
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.17 December 1948
MEMORANDUM FOR: MESSRS.
OFFIE
SUBJECT: Conversation with Mr. Forrestal
This is a brief resume of certain aspects of the very satisfactory
conversation which I had with Mr. Forrestal at lunch today. It will
be observed that further action is indicated with regard to a number
of the points which were covered.
1. New York Committee. Mr. Forrestal and Mr. Blum have brought
this matter to General Fdsenhower's attention, indicating Mr. For-
restal's full support of the project and of General Eisenhower's
participation in the manner contemplated. Will Mr. Offie please
ascertain from Mr. Humelsine whether Mr. Lovett has spoken to General
Eisenhower? If it develops that Mr. Lovett has done this, I believe
that the time has arrived for us to notify Mr. Spofford to go into
action and I suggest that Mr. Offie do this by a telephone call.
2. Availability of support by NME for OPC requirements. The
discussion on this point was very general and Mr. Forrestal indicated
his willingess to do all that he could to help us. More specifically,
in the matter of obtaining the appropriate degree of push for our
personnel requests and for the use of military aircraft for the trans-
portation of OPC bodies, Mr.. Blum is designated as the person who
will help us put thro101 these requests. In particular Mr. Blum
believes that it will be very simple to obtain the transportation!
Hei a very broad scale and all we have to do is to ask him to.
arrange th2.s for us. Mr. i�orrestal was interested to know how much
money has been allotted for our activities
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4, Western Union. I asked Mr. Forrestal for some general informa-
tion concerning Vveetern Union developments and he told me something of
the recent and current negotiations, stressing the fact that for the
present :the United States is not participating directly. He further
stated that he did not believe that the participation of our activities
in the Western Union Clandestine Committee could "outrun" our official
participation in Western Union activities on the next higher level.
He also said that if we desire further' particulars in regard to the
aostern Union developments, we should discuss these matters with
General Gruenther and he encouraged � us to do so.
G. General Maras. Mr. Forrestal is not familiar with what took
place between Maras and our military officials at the time of Maras'
recent visit to this country. More specifically', he does not know
whether we gave Maras any kind of commitments. He commented in this
connection that there is asharp division of opinion as between the
British and the French concerning Italian participation in the
Western Union at this time, the French favoring and the British oppos-
ing. According to Mr. Forrestal the British opposition is based upon
traditional and historical feelings of contempt for Italian ineptitude.
General Slim in a recent argument about Italian participation quoted
Napoleon's statement to the following effect: If Italy is an enemy,
assign two divisions to defeat her; if she is neutral, assign four
divisions to watch her; and if she is an ally, assign eight divisions
to rescue her. Mr. Forrestal does not share the British view since
he recognizes the strategic importance of Italy's geographic position
in Western Europe. -
6. Mr. Forrestal asked for a report of our activities and progress
and I outlined to hill in some detail where we stand and certain of the
difficulties which we are meting. I can develop upon this further
orally for the benefit of any of you who are interested.
FG
Approved for Release: 2021/11/15 CO2793607