862.00/11–547: Telegram

The Ambassador in France ( Caffery ) to the Secretary of State

secret

4737. From conversations with persons close to De Gaulle it seems apparent that latter’s views on German problem have undergone little, [Page 700] if any, fundamental change since his departure from government in January 1946. While De Gaulle apparently recognizes that a sound German economy must be reestablished, and in fact would like to see France profit economically from a prosperous German economy, he apparently is nonetheless still adamant that there be no central German government or political administration for Germany, or for western Germany in the event that Russian policy results in cutting Germany in two. His thinking on Germany is still in terms of several independent German states, organized largely for economic purposes into a loose federation. In other words, while not opposed to the economic unity of Germany, De Gaulle remains opposed to its political unification or centralization.

I have and shall, of course, continue strongly to point out to members of De Gaulle’s entourage and others who share his views the basic contradictions and lack of realism in much of their thinking. In particular I have pointed out to them that if Germany is cut in two and Russia organizes a strong centralized eastern German state, such a state if pledged to the reunification and emergence of a strong centralized Germany, would have an irresistible appeal to many Germans living in western Germany under any such political system as advocated by De Gaulle’s followers.

(From our point of view the present French Government or any central coalition which may succeed it will be infinitely easier to deal with on Germany than De Gaulle, should the latter come to power. In particular the Socialists and the MRP group of the Bidault-Teitgen tendency are less rigid and more realistic in their thinking and desire to reach a satisfactory agreement with US.)

Sent Department, repeated to Berlin as 412 and to London for Murphy as 828.

Caffery