740.00119 Control (Germany)/7–1547: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
urgent
niact
2605. For the Ambassador. The Dept is fully conscious of the considerations with regard to the French position set forth in your tel 2775 July 1117 and subsequent messages. In agreement with the British Embassy, which received a personal message from Bevin today, and with the War Dept, instructions have been sent to Clay to give no further publicity at this time to the bizonal agreement just concluded on the German Level of Industry.
[Page 988]British Embassy has just telephoned to say that Bidault has made inquiry of Bevin as to just what is being discussed by bizonal authorities on Level of Industry and that Bevin feels that he must give Bidault the story tomorrow. He is accordingly sending Hall Patch to explain the agreement to Bidault tomorrow. While the Dept realizes that you are not informed of the nature of the agreement, it believes it important that the French should likewise receive word of the Agreement from the American side. Please immediately consult Bevin and Hall Patch and arrange to coordinate the approach to the French. The British will be able to give you necessary information concerning the agreement and reasons behind it. The Dept leaves to your discretion whether you should make the approach jointly with British or whether you consider it desirable to see Bidault separately.
Dept regrets lack of time prevents informing you fully of nature of agreement and reasons or of sending Murphy to Paris to give you the background.