862.60/8–1547: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
urgent
3524. Several days ago the Brit Emb gave us an urgent message from Bevin89 with respect to proposals for future arrangements for the control of Ruhr industries which the Brit Govt wished to lay before the Paris Conference. Mr. Bevin expressed the hope that the US Govt would agree that the Paris Conference approve: (a) a speedy settlement of the problem of the future of the Ruhr Basin and the coal, iron and steel industries situated therein, is essential to the recovery of Europe; (b) it is recognized that those controlling powers which are represented at the Conference cannot by themselves make commitments as regards the future of the Ruhr and its industries; (c) nevertheless, subject to suitable safeguards for security, it is of first importance that the coal, iron, and steel industries of the Ruhr should be placed under international control with some form of public ownership in order that [Page 1038] their resources may be used for the benefit of Europe as a whole, including Germany.
As stated in our tel 3031 Aug 14 to Paris90 rptd to you as 3499 we believe that during the period prior to the establishment of a German Govt accepted by the occupying powers the present control of Germany provides the necessary safeguards and no further mechanism is required. With respect to the subsequent period when a German Govt has been established it is our opinion at the present time that such arrangements are a matter for decision in connection with the Peace Treaty to be later negotiated. Just as we have informed the French we should be glad to discuss this matter at an appropriate time after the London talks we would suggest the same procedure in respect to the Brit proposal.
We would prefer that our reply to Mr. Bevin’s message be made by you along the foregoing lines.91 When ample time has elapsed for you to have made communication to the Brit Govt we shall inform the Emb here.
- The message under reference was presented orally to Samuel Reber by Hubert Penson of the British Embassy on the afternoon of August 11.↩
- Supra.↩
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In his telegram 4462, August 18, from London, not printed, Ambassador Douglas reported that he discussed this telegram with Foreign Secretary Bevin on the morning of August 18. Douglas described Bevin’s reaction as follows:
↩“He agrees thoroughly and feels that while we should at the tripartite meetings express sympathy with the French concern and say that we are prepared to consider the problem with understanding at some other time, it is not an appropriate subject for the conference. Moreover, he feels that precisely the same position should be taken at the Paris Conference. Stated differently, it is his belief that we should not, either for the purpose of obtaining French acquiescence on the level of industry or for the purpose of satisfying, at the Paris Conference, French apprehensions, pay any price whatsoever except to indicate future sympathetic consideration of the question.” (862.60/8–1847)