740.0011 EW/1–3045: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received January 31—10:33 p. m.]
427. Bidault’s luncheon was a great success (my telegram 399, January 28, 11 p. m.1) Hopkins and I saw Bidault in his office for about 45 minutes before luncheon: Bidault set out the French position on post-war control of Germany which he and General De Gaulle have frequently set over to me before: elimination of all war industry and near-war industry in Germany, an international body to be set up to govern and control the Rhine region, the southern part thereof to be controlled exclusively by the French, the northern part under mixed control; Germany to be reduced to a status making it impossible [Page 300] for her to wage war again (“however,” he added, “I would not like to see a red flag over Germany succeeded by a black flag (the pirate’s flag of course)”).
There was then some discussion in regard to the suggested voting procedure of the security council of the United Nations organization and also of the suggested emergency high commission for liberated Europe. In both cases Bidault was sympathetic.
At luncheon we were with the Ministers of Finance, Communication and Transportation also. Hopkins was in very good form and gave them a frank and useful talk; he repeated what he had said to De Gaulle and Bidault (my telegram 399, January 282) and expanded thereon.3
He talked also about the next big three conference; told them that he knew that President Roosevelt would like to see De Gaulle sometime, somewhere before he returned to the United States. After a little discussion during which it was clear that the members of the cabinet were afraid of De Gaulle’s reaction, hurt feelings, etc. in case he were not invited to join the big three conference, it was decided to let the matter rest for the moment; and I will endeavor to find out what the score is and keep Hopkins informed so that he can decide whether or not to advise the President to suggest a meeting.
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