Description: Eisenhower Dwight


President Eisenhower Calls Israel's Invasion of Egypt One of Several "complicated and delicate international crises"


1p TLS signed by 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) as DE" near bottom. Written at the White House, Washington, D.C. on November 11, 1956. Cream watermarked paper with "The White House, Washington"embossed letterhead. In near fine condition, with expected paper folds. Measures 7.125"" x 10.375"".


November 1956 was a particularly stressful time for the Eisenhower administration. On the domestic front, Eisenhower had successfully run for reelection against Democratic candidate Adelai Stevenson on November 6, 1956, but was less than thrilled with congressional election results. In addition, two international crises had erupted almost at the same time, the Israeli-British-French invasion of Egypt during the Suez Crisis, and the Soviet crackdown of the Hungarian Revolution.


Eisenhower thanked his friend Barry T. Leithead for his congratulatory note. "While I could not find in my heart any elation over the outcome of the election, there was, of course, a deep satisfaction that so many of the American people gave the principles and policies of the Administration such a resounding vote of confidence."


The President had mixed emotions. While he soundly defeated Stevenson, winning 57.4% of the popular vote and 457 electoral votes, he had also lost Missouri, a state that he had carried in 1952. Congressional results did not change the balance of power, and Democrats still outnumbered Eisenhower's Republicans 49 to 47 in the Senate and 234 to 202 in the House of Representatives. In Eisenhower's assessment, then, election results were a strong recommendation of his administration, but not an unadulterated endorsement.


Eisenhower continued, "A verdict like this is not only a psychological but a very real asset as we try to work through the complicated and delicate international crises."


The "complicated and delicate international crises" had come to a head simultaneously in the Middle East and the Soviet bloc. The Suez Crisis (October 29-November 7, 1956) was precipitated when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal and banned Israeli shipping from the 90-year-old waterway connecting the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. Israel responded by invading Egypt; they were supported by British and French forces safeguarding their access to foreign oil. The United States, Soviet Union, and United Nations pressured the tripartite forces to withdraw from Egypt. Eisenhower's firm response to the situation was viewed favorably by the American public.


The Hungarian Revolution (late October-mid November, 1956) raged in Eastern Europe. Widespread student and worker protests gained momentum and even led to the collapse of the Hungarian puppet government, but Soviet forces regrouped and suppressed the uprising. Although the United States condemned this response, they also needed to cooperate with the Soviet Union, their new Suez Crisis ally. Hence Eisenhower's characterization of recent events as both "complicated and delicate.""


President Eisenhower's correspondent, Barry T. Leithead (1907-1974), was the chairman and C.E.O. of Cluett, Peabody and Co., an apparel manufacturer. Leithead had worked his way up the ranks from Chicago floor salesman in 1929 to New York corporate chairman in 1966. A zealous Republican, Leithead fundraised for Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956, in the latter year generating $1,000,000 as chairman of the New York State rally. Leithead was also a personal friend and an occasional golfing partner.


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