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him well over his eight years in the Foreign Service, and also in the State Department. But it was highlighted because this experience in the U-2, in the first few days of this I was Acting Secretary of State, and I had to bear the brunt of a lot of that mix-up.

Mr. Dawson. Was Mr. Dulles generally a responsible individual in whom the President placed great trust?

Mr. Dillon. Very much so, great trust.

Mr. Dawson. In his relationship with the President do you believe that President Eisenhower was aware of Mr. Dulles' desire to protect him, President Eisenhower, from a great embarrassment?

Mr. Dillon. I would think so. Of course, the U-2 thing made him aware of that, because it was not only Mr. Dulles' view, but it was also the view of the State Department that this was the correct procedure, that the President should take whatever action was necessary either with Mr. Dulles or with senior officials in the State Department, and blame them for both, but not to accept the responsibility himself if nothing happened. And he disregarded our strong feelings on that.

Mr. Herter had just gotten back from a NATO meeting in Turkey, and he made a special trip out to Camp David to urge this on him, to warn him before he did assume responsibility himself. But to no avail. Hagerty was very strong for the President taking responsibility, because I think he had a

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