◆ SpookStack

80. (Continued) Vinson urged that if we strike, we strike with maximum force and wind the matter up quickly as this would involve the minimum of American losses and insure the maximum support by the Cuban people at large who, he reasoned, would very quickly go over to the side of the winner. ‘The meating was concluded at 6:35 60 permit the President to prepare for his 7:00 o'clock talk to the nation. It was decided to hold a meeting on Wednesday, October 24th. During this meeting Senator Hickenlooper expressed himself as opposed to the action and in favor of direct military action. He stated that in his opinion ships which were accosted on the high sea and turned back would be a more humiliating blow to the Soviets and a more serious involvement to their pride than the losing of as many as 5,000 Soviet military personnel illegally and secretly stationed in Cuba. JOHN A. McCONE Director FOP SeGReT -EYES-ONLY Reverse Blank 279