711.51/7–1847: Telegram

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

secret
urgent

2879. In connection with current furor over “proposals for Germany” (mytel 2863 July 1824), I have of course sought to dispel—and I think successfully—any misunderstanding on part of Bidault and other members French Cabinet. In fact Bidault has stated he fully realizes our position and realizes that France must eventually go along with us but at same time emphasizes in strongest possible terms impossibility of average Frenchman doing so at this juncture. Signs of hesitation and fear that perhaps “France went too far”, based on dread of Soviets and doubt certainty of our effective support, are already cropping up and may not be absent from Bidault’s own thinking.

Obviously Bidault is panicky about his own position (and he is very ambitious) as well as about his party’s prospects in this fall’s municipal elections. Furthermore there is no doubt about his genuine concern over possible effect on present government. He says he already sensed throughout the country a ground swell of hostility to these “German proposals”, adroitly magnified by Communist propaganda.

He has already (in his personal letter to the Secretary25) indicated that he could not personally continue in office if we and the British persist in our expressed intentions. His resignation would undoubtedly provoke another government crisis in which the politicals of the MRP, RGR and Socialist Parties are for the moment unpredictable.

In addition, the Department will recall that in the “paper” which Bidault handed to Duff-Cooper and me (mytel 2856 July 1726) the statement is made that the French Government will find itself compelled to protest solemnly and publicly if we go ahead with our plans as he now understands them, and especially the publicity angle.

Sent Department 2879, repeated London 559 and Geneva 99 for Clayton.

Caffery
  1. Supra.
  2. Dated July 17, p. 991.
  3. The telegram under reference is not printed, but for the “paper” referred to here, dated July 17, see p. 992.