Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, Council of Foreign Ministers; Germany and Austria, Volume II

711.51/8–847: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

secret
urgent
niact

Washington , August 8, 1947—7 p.m.

3415. For the Ambassador. As you are aware the French Government has made strong representations looking toward tripartite discussions dealing with the level of industry in the bizonal area of Germany and management and control of the Ruhr coal industry. We are now prepared to agree that these discussions should take place.

As we are informed by the British Embassy that the British Government is likewise agreeable to tripartite discussions on these two subjects, we are today sending the following message to Caffery for presentation to Bidault:⁷¹

• “1. I have received the message which you sent me through M. Bonnet emphasizing the importance which the French Government attaches to tripartite discussions of the level of German industry and the management and control of the Ruhr coal mines.
• 2. I informed M. Bonnet that the U.S. Government would give careful consideration to this explanation of the French position. This has been done and the U.S. Government is prepared to agree to meetings without delay between representatives of the U.S., U.K. and French Governments on the subject of the revised Level of Industry Plan in order that the French views may be considered and objectives of the Plan explored and explained before the Plan is finally formulated and adopted by the U.S. and U.K. Governments.
• 3. With respect to the management and control of the Ruhr coal mines, the U.S. Government is similarly prepared to receive and discuss the French views with the French and British Governments.
• 4. Proposals as to the arrangements for the discussions dealing with the Level of Industry Plan and management and control of the Ruhr coal mines will be communicated to the French Government without delay.”

Caffery has also been instructed that: “Upon presentation of the note, you should explain orally to Bidault that the French Government will appreciate that in the absence of a fusion of the French zone with the U.S. and U.K. zones, the U.S. and U.K. Governments are responsible for and must take final decisions regarding the Bizonal area. At the same time you should assure Bidault that fullest consideration will be given to the French views, and stress the urgency which we attach to the earliest possible announcement of the bizonal level of industry plan.”

Now that War Department has withdrawn objections to discussions⁷² we believe that the conversations with respect to the French views on level of industry in the bizonal area of Germany and management and control of the Ruhr coal mines should be held without delay and start as early next week as possible. We desire that these conversations take place in London and that you represent this Government. We have requested the War Department to appoint a top level representative of the Military Government to advise you. We hope that the European Theater Commander will be available for this purpose, although this is of course a matter for the War Dept to decide. Technical advisors will be sent immediately from here.

After French views have been received and discussed, they will be forwarded to the U.S. and U.K. Governments for consideration and decision. With respect to the U.S. Government, the views of yourself and your advisors should also be forwarded.

Please discuss this procedure urgently with the British Government as we should like to inform the French without delay of the arrangements to be made.⁷³ Further instructions will follow.

For your information, in view of the importance of decisions on the level of industry we suggest conversations on this subject be taken up first and hope they may be concluded within a week, in order that it may be possible to make public announcement at the earliest possible date, which in our opinion should not be later than September 1, 1947. If the timing permits, the bizonal level of industry agreement should be presented simultaneously with its public announcement to the appropriate committee of the Paris Conference as a part of the plan for European reconstruction.

Sent to London—repeated to Paris.⁷⁴

Marshall

71. The message quoted here was sent as telegram 2953, August 8, to Paris, not printed (711.51/8–847). Telegram 3193, August 9, from Paris, not printed, reported that the message had been handed to Bidault on August 9. The telegram added the following:

    “Bidault asked me to express to the Secretary his ‘gratitude’ as well as that of his Government for this ‘most constructive step’. He said his Government will be delighted to take part in the discussions.” (711.51/8–947)

    Telegram 3196, August 9, from Paris, not printed, reported that a similar British communication had been delivered to the French Foreign Ministry on August 9 (711.51/8–947).

72. At the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting on August 8, 1947, the Secretary of State discussed the proposed tripartite London meeting with Secretary Royall. In his memorandum to Under Secretary Lovett on August 8 regarding the Cabinet meeting, Secretary Marshall recorded the exchange with Royall as follows:

    “After the meeting Mr. Royall told me he had accepted my views regarding a tripartite meeting with the French in London on the Clay and Robertson level of industry agreement. In other words, he apparently approved of the meeting in London with Douglas our representative. He stated he had talked to Clay this morning and wished Hilldring to show me the record of the talk. He stated that Clay had indicated something about his resignation but he, Royall, was going to give him orders and drop further discussions.” (711.00/8–847)

73. In his telegram 4334, August 11, from London, not printed, Ambassador Douglas reported as follows:

    “Talked to Bevin this afternoon. The procedure outlined your 3415, August 8, fully acceptable to British on the condition that there be no implications to the French that they will have the power of veto. In other words the talks will be held on an informal and noncommittal basis.” (711.51/8–1147)

74. Repeated as telegram 2952, August 8, to Paris.