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  4. Document 421

862.6362/8–847

The Secretary of State to the French Foreign Minister ( Bidault )38

secret
[ Washington , July 21, 1947.]

Since sending you my message on July 18th,39 I have given further consideration to the problems you raise in connection with the proposals put forward by the U.S.-U.K. representatives in Germany as regards the future level of industry in the bi-zonal area in Germany and the management and control of the coal industry in Germany. In order to give time for a full consideration of the views of the French Government in these matters, the United States Government [Page 1004] will suspend further announcement upon the proposal for the revised bi-zonal level of industry in Germany until the French Government has had a reasonable opportunity to discuss these questions with the United States and United Kingdom Governments.

I have already approached Mr. Bevin in this connection and I hope that we may shortly be in a position to indicate to you the manner in which a consideration of the issues involved may be arranged. I have been informed by Mr. Bevin that the British Government is now considering the whole position and I hope that therefore it will be possible within a few days to go into this matter in greater detail with you.

  1. The source text was transmitted to Foreign Minister Bidault by Ambassador Caffery in a letter dated July 22, 1947, not printed, a copy of which was transmitted to the Department as enclosure 4 to despatch 9396, August 8, from Paris, neither printed. This message was transmitted to Bidault in pursuance of instructions contained in telegram 2670, July 21, to Paris, not printed (711.51/7–1747). A copy of this message was handed to Ambassador Bonnet by the Secretary of State on July 21. Telegram 3116, July 21, to London, not printed, requested Ambassador Douglas to inform Foreign Secretary Bevin of the terms of this message to Bidault (862.6362/7–2147).↩

  2. The message under reference, which Ambassador Caffery transmitted to Foreign Minister Bidault on July 19, read as follows:

    “I have received your message and am giving it my personal attention. This immediate acknowledgment is to advise you that I fully understand the delicacy of your position.” (862.6362/8–847)

    ↩