Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 1

740.5/7–1054: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

confidential
niact

Washington, July 10, 1954—8:57 p.m.

126. For Dillon and Bruce and Rhinehart [ Reinhardt ] for General Gruenther.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee has revised Mutual Security Act EDC Amendment to provide December 31, 1954 cut-off of shipment of all matériel and equipment programmed 1950 to 1955 for all EDC countries except countries which have ratified EDC or agreed to or are in process of developing a substitute satisfactory to President.

Drafting of language left to Executive Branch. Proposed draft follows:

“(1) In order to promote an integrated defense of the North Atlantic area and to support concrete measures for political federation, military integration, and economic unification in Europe, equipment and materials of the value programmed for nations signing the treaty constituting the European Defense Community shall, pending the coming into force of the treaty, be delivered subsequent to December 31, 1954, only to such of these nations as have ratified the treaty, or have joined together in or are developing an alternative collective defense program in a manner satisfactory to the United States as determined by the President.”

Note effects of proposal:

(1) Diminishes pressure on France and Italy to join EDC by allowing delivery of programmed equipment in case country agrees to or is satisfactorily in process of developing alternative to EDC.

(2) Involves danger of complete cut-off to France and Italy and consequent effect on NATO if conditions not fulfilled.

(3) Applies to 1950–1953 programs (1,300 million for France and 700 million for Italy) as well as 1954 and 1955 programs (197 million for France and 214 million for Italy) as of December 31, 1954 but releases 1954 and 1955 programs until then.

Apparently possible obtain reconsideration Monday morning if Executive Branch takes firm position with strong reasons.

Please consider with General Gruenther and advise your views and his by six p.m., Sunday EDT.²

Dulles

1. Drafted by Claxton of H; cleared with Nolting of S/MSA, Bonbright, and the Department of Defense.
2. Bruce replied in telegram Coled 7 from Paris, July 11, that from his standpoint he had no objection to the proposed draft terminating with “as have ratified the treaty”, but he hoped the remainder commencing “or have joined together, et cetera” would be completely eliminated. “Bruce felt this language or any like it would provide French EDC opponents with golden opportunity to open interminable negotiations on program alternative to EDC Moreover, it will encourage them to think US Government has relaxed its firm stand in support present EDC treaty and is prepared for new negotiations Nothing, Bruce concluded, could be worse at the present time (740.5/7–1154). In Army telegram EC 9–2878, July 11, from Paris, Gruenther objected that the proposed amendment would reduce significantly and immediately the combat effectiveness of the air forces of France and Italy and would also have a serious long-term impact on the French and Italian navies. “If, in spite of my recommendation in paragraph one above, the amendment becomes law, I hope that we will be given a chance to submit recommendations in connection with the implementation.” Gruenther added that he had seen Bruce’s message and that if the amendment were to be adopted, “I favor the change suggested by him” (740.5/7–1154). The Embassy in France replied in telegrams 135 and 136 from Paris, July 11, that it believed the show of Congressional impatience with delays in EDC ratification would be helpful, but added that some of the proposed language was self-defeating as was the provision for a mandatory aid cut after Dec. 31 which was too explicit. (Bruce Mission files, lot 57 M 38, “Richards Amendment”)