840.00/6–1447
The British Ambassador (Inverchapel) to the Secretary of State
urgent
My Dear Secretary of State: I have this morning received a telegram from Mr. Bevin asking me to inform you that, in pursuit of the intention to cooperate with the French in studying the new American approach to Europe adumbrated in your recent speech at Harvard, he proposes to take the initiative by visiting Paris early next week to discuss the matter personally with the Prime Minister of France and M. Bidault. The French Government are being informed that, subject to their agreement, Mr. Bevin would hope to arrive in Paris on Tuesday afternoon and return to London on Wednesday evening. He hopes that it may be possible to arrange for M. Monnet,1 who is at present in Basle, to be available during the discussions.
In a speech which he delivered yesterday afternoon, Mr. Bevin indicated that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom are specially mindful of the part that France can play in the economic reconstruction of Europe and he stated that it had been decided to consult her and other European nations to see how best advantage could be taken of the great American proposal.
Mr. Bevin hopes that you will understand that in view of the postponement of Mr. Clayton’s visit to London2 and the urgency of making progress with the questions raised in your Harvard speech, he has [Page 254] thought it desirable to open early discussions with the French. These discussions will be exploratory only and Mr. Bevin hopes that His Majesty’s Government will be in a better position to talk effectively to Mr. Clayton after they have heard the French views. Mr. Bevin specially asks me to say that he very much hopes that Mr. Clayton will not find it necessary further to postpone his departure for London on account of Mr. Bevin’s proposed visit to Paris.
Mr. Bevin states that if the United States Government have any views to express about his talks with the French, he would be glad to have them.
I am also informed that I shall shortly receive instructions to approach the United States Government on the substance of your recent proposal and on the general subject of the shortage of dollars.
Yours sincerely,