Playing the Ace

In the new global game of personal diplomacy, President Eisenhower was slow to play the U.S.'s ace--himself. As the world's most popular political leader, he is also the U.S.'s most effective ambassador. Last week Ike announced an historic presidential diplomatic mission. He will swing for 19 days and 19,500 miles through nine nations of Southern Europe and Southern Asia, centering on the Western summit meeting in Paris, Dec. 19. Said he: There will not be "a great deal of time for dallying along the way."

The President's trip also will serve a specific and timely diplomatic purpose that goes beyond good will. Dwight Eisenhower, setting foot in India at the testing time when Red China troops are puncturing India's borders, is bound to dramatize the U.S.'s support for India's determination to preserve its freedoms.

Critical Dates. Ike has wanted to visit India, the trip's high spot, for more than two years, but has never been able to take enough time out from Washington duties. Last month he saw his chance: there were three "critical dates"--Dec. 3, the earliest he could get away from preliminary budget chores; Dec. 11, the opening of the U.S. exhibit at the World Agricultural Fair in New Delhi; Dec. 19, the Western summit in Paris. Fortnight ago he sent off letters to India's Premier Nehru and Pakistan's President Ayub accepting longstanding invitations to visit.

Just before midnight, Dec. 3, Ike will fly out of Andrews Air Force Base, Md. in the VIP-styled Boeing 707 that took him to Western Europe in August. He will stop off in Rome to reassure Italy's Premier Antonio Segni that Italy, though not included in the Western summit, is not forgotten. He will also talk with Pope John XXIII. Thence via Turkey, Pakistan and Soviet-influenced Afghanistan (see map) the President will fly into New Delhi for five days of talks with Nehru and his advisers, for the opening of the U.S. exhibit, and a "very major" foreign policy speech (also for some sightseeing, including Agra's matchless Taj Mahal).

On the way back from India, he will lunch with the Shah of Iran, cruise from Athens to Toulon in a U.S. Navy cruiser to store up sun and strength for the Western summit at Paris Dec. 19-21. Last stop: Rabat, to visit with Morocco's King Mohammed V.

New Look. While Ike travels, Secretary of State Christian Herter will wrap up U.S. position-papers in advance of the Western summit, but will join the presidential party aboard the cruiser. As his top diplomatic adviser Ike will take to Asia the State Department's retiring Troubleshooter Bob Murphy, who will delay his retirement (and starting his new jobs as a director of Corning Glass Works and president of Corning Glass Works International) to make the trip. New look on the diplomatic team: Daughter-in-Law Barbara Eisenhower, who will accompany Ike's aide and son, Major John, and act as hostess on behalf of Mamie Eisenhower. The First Lady, said Ike at his press conference, will stay home--"It is a little bit tough, I think, for her on that kind of a mission."

"I don't think it is necessary for me to go into the reasons why Asia is important," said he. "I am hoping to build a better understanding of the U.S. and good will for us." In New Delhi, India's Premier Nehru keynoted a stack of hail-he's-on-the-way editorials by observing: "We are very happy and look forward to his coming . . . As the border problem is an important problem, I presume it will come up in the course of our discussions."

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