As the Secretary of State was not available, I handed the text of the President's message No. 104¹ at noon today to Mr. Bundy, Assistant Secretary of State. He read it through slowly, after which he said, 'the first part is admirable but how are we expected to reply to the last paragraph' which he re-read audibly - ' and from no other country has our struggle for freedom received so much help and sympathy.'

He then said the message would be submitted to the Secretary of State on his return and added 'the Protocol Department will have to exercise their wits in drafting a reply as we must be careful not to get the President of the United States into difficulties.'