Eisenhower, Dwight David, thirty-fourth President

Letter signed ("Ike"), 1 page (10 1/2 x 7 1/4 in.; 266 x 184 mm) on DDE letterhead, Indio, California, 8 February 1968, to Lewis Strauss in Washington D.C.; formerly folded. Half-morocco clamshell box.

formerly folded
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

On the handling of the Pueblo Incident, "I must say that the ways of Washington get more and more baffling to me."

Writing to his friend and former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Lewis Strauss (1896-1974), the retired president is puzzled by Lyndon Johnson's choice of advisors: "I agree with you that I find only cold comfort in the President calling upon Taylor and Ridgway for military advice. Both were brilliant combat soldiers but I do not think that either has acquired any great reputation for military wisdom."

He is also puzzled by the handling of the Pueblo Incident (23 January 1968) in which a navy intelligence ship was captured by North Korea: "I do not understand how the Pueblo could be operating except under Navy Control. I would suppose, therefore, that she was operating under the direct control of the office of the Secretary of Defense. In any event, someone must have learned a lesson from the experience of the Liberty [a likewise unaccompanied research vessel which was attacked by the Israeli Air Force 8 June 1967] and, therefore, should have provided escort for a similar vessel even though it was allegedly operating on a "peaceful" mission. I must say that the ways of Washington get more and more baffling to me."