701.60P11/6–2849

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of Protocol (Woodward)

  • Participants: The Secretary of State, Mr. Acheson
  • The Chargé d’Affaires of Latvia, Mr. Jules Feldmans
  • The Attaché of the Latvian Legation, Mr. Dinbergs
  • The Chief of Protocol, Mr. Woodward

The Chargé d’Affaires of Latvia, Mr. Jules Feldmans, was presented to the Secretary today at 12:15 p. m. by the Chief of Protocol.

To the Secretary’s welcoming remarks the Chargé said that he was very pleased to be here, and that our action in accepting a Chargé d’Affaires of Latvia was sincerely appreciated, especially in the present unusual circumstances. The Secretary said that he realized these were unusual circumstances in which to receive him, but these were unusual times and added that the President felt this action was clearly the right one in the circumstances.

Mr. Feldmans stated that unfortunately the Latvian President could not sign his credentials as he was an exile in Siberia.

The Secretary referred in complimentary terms to the late Latvian Minister, Dr. Bilmanis, and wished the new Latvian Chargé d’Affaires well in his Washington Mission.1

Upon taking leave the Chargé handed the Secretary a letter signed by Mr. Charles Zarine, Latvian Minister in London, bearer of the Special Emergency Power of the Latvian National Government accrediting Mr. Feldmans to Washington. The Chargé also left with the [Page 294] Secretary his “Remarks”, and the Secretary handed Mr. Feldmans his “Response”.2

S[tanley] W[oodward]
  1. In a memorandum of June 27 to the Secretary of State, not printed, Llewellyn E. Thompson, Deputy Director of the Office of European Affairs, briefed the Secretary on his scheduled meeting with Feldmans. Thompson suggested that the Secretary might wish to refer briefly to the distinguished service of Dr. Bilmanis and added:

    “Our decision to receive a new Latvian Chargé d’Affaires underlines our general policy toward the Baltic States and demonstrates our continuing interest in, and sympathy for, the people of Latvia.” (701.60P11/6–2749)

    The Secretary of State does not appear to have discussed the substance of United States policy toward the Baltic States during this conversation. In a conversation with Feldmans on September 8, however, Thompson did inform the Chargé that there had been no change in American policy toward the Baltic States and that none currently was under consideration. Thompson added that as a result of a greater awareness of Soviet aims and methods on the part of the American people, he felt that the policy had a wider basis of popular support than at any time since World War II (memorandum of conversation by Thompson, September 8, 1949: 711.60N/9–849).

  2. A copy of the Secretary of State’s “Response” under reference here has not been found. The other documents referred to are included as attachments to Thompson’s memorandum of June 27 cited in the previous footnote.