740.00119 Control (Germany)/2–1846
The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador (Bonnet)
The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Excellency the Ambassador of France and has the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Ambassador’s aide-mémoire No. 124 of February 18, 194669 in which the desire is expressed that the four Foreign Ministers should as a matter of first urgency discuss the proposal of the French [Page 529] Government to effect without delay a permanent occupation of the Saar territory.
The Secretary of State has given careful consideration to the aide-mémoire in the light of this Government’s desire to support in every way possible the efforts of the French Government and of the French people to surmount the difficulties bequeathed by the war. He recognizes the high value which the French Government places on a prompt quadripartite discussion of the question of the Saar. He is aware that this is a question which is of a peculiar interest to France and, at the same time, an integral part of the dispositions to be made, not only with respect to Western Germany but also with respect to the broader problems of immediate and long-range measures essential for Germany as a whole.
The Secretary of State has received disturbing reports of recent developments in Germany, developments which, if left unchecked, can only work to the detriment of French interests no less than to those of the United States and the world at large. These reports have, in his judgment, given such importance to overcoming the chaotic relations existing between the four zones of Germany that he cannot conceal his conviction that the resolution of this problem stands as the most pressing task confronting the Occupying Powers.
The Secretary of State has already expressed to the French Government his grave concern regarding this situation and has sought its cooperation in the measures necessary to meet it. As soon as this situation has been met, the Secretary of State will actively support prompt quadripartite consideration and discussion of the proposal of the French Government regarding the question of the Saar and hopes that the four governments may be able to reach a satisfactory understanding on that subject.
The Secretary of State appreciates the importance which the French Government attaches to this subject and will certainly approach the discussions with a most sympathetic understanding of the French view.