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

862.60/9–247: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Acting Secretary of State

secret
urgent

London, September 2, 1947—4 p.m.

4749. For Lovett from Douglas. I discussed with Clayton, Caffery, Kennan and Bonesteel³¹ the advisability of continuing informal discussions with the French in regard to establishing in the peace settlement with Germany, some sort of international device for the purpose of insuring that access to the products of the Ruhr shall not in the future, as was the case in the pre-war period, be exclusively subject to the will of Germany.

(ReDeptel 3716, August 27³² and Paris Embtel 3316, to Dept August 19³³).

We all recommend that an immediate continuation of these informal and personal discussions be authorized. It is not our intention that they should necessarily be undertaken for the purpose of arriving now at a definite agreement, but rather that we should aim at a complete exploration of our respective positions with a view to arriving at an informal understanding.

As a result of what transpired in the tripartite conversations on the level of industry, which ended in London on the twenty-seventh, the question of the control of the products of the Ruhr is fundamental to the entire French position. Further discussions with the French cannot but have a beneficial effect upon the French Govt, may mollify its position toward Germany and bring us closer together in regard to a settlement of this issue at the appropriate time.

If you approve of a continuation of the informal discussions referred to herein, a full disclosure and explanation should, of course, be made to the British Govt here, without, however, becoming involved in Britain’s suggestion referred to in Paris Embtel 3270.³⁴

I do not believe that a continuation of the discussions will be unpalatable to General Clay, particularly if, should you approve resuming them, he is kept fully informed and even from time to time asked to advise in regard to them. Indeed, he might be asked to participate in them. The discussions should, however, be attended by only a few and should be on an informal basis.

As I have indicated above, Clayton, Caffery, Kennan and Bonesteel endorse this recommendation. Kennan, on his return, will be able to give you more background.

Sent Dept 4749; repeated Paris (for Caffery’s and Kennan’s eyes only) 501; Geneva (for Clayton’s eyes only) 144.

Douglas

31. Colonel Bonesteel and George Kennan conferred with Under Secretary Clayton and Ambassadors Douglas and Caffery in Paris on August 29 and 30, 1947. Bonesteel and Kennan had brought the Department of State’s current views regarding the Conference of European Economic Cooperation then meeting in Paris. For documentation regarding the exchange of views in Paris and George Kennan’s Report on his mission, see volume iii , “The Political and Economic Crisis in Europe and the United States response (The Marshall Plan)”.
32. Ante, p. 1063.
33. Ante, p. 1039.
34. Ante, p. 1033.