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

840.6362/3–647: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

secret

Washington, March 6, 1947—2 p.m.

870. Following summary aide-mémoire delivered Dept by French Emb on instructions French Govt 3 Mar:

Start summary: In recent talks with Brit Govt French reps insisted that decisions be made soonest in Berlin recognizing French need coal. French stated their del Moscow instructed not to engage discussions Ger economy particularly any involving raising Ger level industry unless conditions of Ger coal deliveries to France had previously been settled.⁵⁴ To facilitate solution Brit authorities considering setting up immediately commission of experts to examine on technical level general questions coal supply western Eur and to indicate conditions under which procedures for allocating Ger coal could be modified. Brit intend discuss with Matthews to obtain US agreement to new procedure which would enable three govts to reach conclusions on Eur coal supply prior to Moscow Conf.⁵⁵ French Govt urgently requests US to give favorable consideration to Brit plan. End summary. Riddleberger has full text.⁵⁶

Dept not previously advised any such proposal. Brit have not approached Dept and no info any approach to Matthews.⁵⁷

French Emb will be advised no word from Brit and obviously no time to carry out proposal prior Moscow meeting 10 Mar. Attention also called to presence on CFM agenda of report of ACC coal experts. Early discussion coal problem anticipated. USDel Moscow aware serious French coal needs and will give full consideration to them. Dept would have no objection prompt survey of coal requirements of Eur importing countries on technical level but suggests country reps at ECO best qualified on account continuous dealings Eur coal supply, requirements and allocations.

Recent forecast ’47 Eur coal position made by MEA London. MEA being instructed cable summary to Paris, Berlin, Moscow and air pouch text forecast with Dept comments. Please advise USDel.

Sent Paris as 870, rptd London 1067, Berlin 498 and Moscow 399.

Acheson

54. Telegram 1023, March 7, from Paris, repeated to Berlin for the Secretary, not printed, reported that a French Foreign Office official had made the following comment in connection with the French coal problem and the Moscow Conference:

    “If the United States could find a way to meet French views on German coal exports, he was certain that the French would find it possible to go along with United States’ views on other German problems.” (840.6362/3–747)

55. Telegram 1049, March 10, from Paris, not printed, reported that the British had not spoken to Matthews regarding the matter under reference here (840.6362/3–1047).
56. The full text of French aide-mémoire under reference is filed separately under 862.6362/3–547.
57. Telegram 1534, March 10, from London, not printed, reported that the basis for the French aide-mémoire of March 3 was a British proposal which had been mentioned during recent British-French economic conversations in Paris. The British proposed a high-level study of the German coal position by American and British experts. The British did not believe that there should be French representation on such a joint US–UK expert group. The British proposal had been recommended to Foreign Secretary Bevin who, subject to his approval, would take it up in Moscow with Secretary Marshall. (840.6362/3–1047)