LETTER TO MR. HERBERT BAINBRIDGE HAYDEN FROM ALLEN W. DULLES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R003600070066-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2002
• Sequence Number: 66
• Publication Date: September 7, 1960
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2002/08/21 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R003600070066-6
ER 60-6848/A
September 7, 1960
STAT
Mr. Herbert Bainbridge
Dear Mr. Hayden:
I keenly appreciate your letter of the First
of September, with your comments on my Detroit
talk. There is a great deal in what you say, and
I shall not forget it.
Sincerely,
Allen W. Dulles
Director
AWD:at
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
1 cc - DCI File
1 cc - ER w/basic
(E CUT . ~y r
Approved For Rele4 2002/08/21 CIA-RDP80B01676R003600070066-6"
 STAT
Approved For Release 2002/08/21 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R003600070066-6
Sept. 1, 1960
Hon. Allen W. Dulles,
Director, Central Intelligence,
Washington 25, D.C.
A group of highly intelligent and successful men has
asked that I write to you in re your very interesting speech
of August 22 to the VFW in Detroit.
We have all read this speech and feel that something
definite and constructive should be done with regard to the
the points that you made.
It seems to us that the time has come when this country
should take a much stronger attitude toward Russia and put
a stop to the present namby-pamby, defensive methods we use.
The present softness and complacency must be done away with,
the decisions must be made by the U.S. and not left to the
Soviets' initiative. For years we have been off balance,
on the defensive, constantly surprised, while the Russians
laugh and keep winning.
It seems to us that those in authority in Washington
should get on the TV and tell the country in simple, Anglo-
Saxon words the whole truth about the Communistic activities.
The man on the street knows nothing about the seriousness of
the situation and nobody tells him. Our past errors can
never be redeemed unless we show the intestinal fortitude
necessary to take the offensive and we will never do that
until public opinion is informed and snaps out of its present
ignorance and lassitude. When I personally was the Chief of
the W.PB. Lend-Lease Division I was astonished at the keen
intelligence and crookedness of the Russians. I spoke of it
many times to people in high authority in Wasgington without
result. The reaction was invariably that we must deal
calmly with the Russians and comply with all the requirements
of fair dealing and good taste: Did anyone eter hear of their
acting according to such principles?
We would like to suggest that steps be taken in Washington
to tell the people frankly the facts and scare them out of
their ignorance; have some daring and find some leadership
to act in depth and aggressively. If we do not do this, we
will lose.
Sorry to take your time -- this does not require any
answer. Approved For Release 2QO2/08/2J : CIA-RDP80BO1676R003600070066-6
Sincerely
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