840.50 Recovery/7–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
urgent
niact
2679. For the Secretary. I handed your message1 to Bidault who was delighted. He said that he was particularly appreciative of your understanding his difficulties. He went on to say that he and Bevin are prepared to go full speed ahead and that they will first of all examine [Page 313] just what the interested countries can do for themselves, either directly or by interchange, in the way of coal, wheat, steel and transportation. He said that he apprehends that some of the satellite countries will accept the invitation primarily to make difficulties. He has heard rumors that the Swiss will not take part and are even talking on the subject with the Scandinavian countries. If true, he would regret it.
He has had conversations with Bevin about Germany and fears there will be trouble in arriving at an agreement. He does not like the British idea of socializing the Ruhr mines, and among his reasons is the fact that French interests own a few of the mines. He is not hostile in principle to raising production levels in Germany but can give no blank check. In regard to Germany he will be subject to attack here on the one hand by the French Communists and on the other by De Gaulle’s friends. The Gaullist press is already showing signs of this.
He is not apprehensive of any immediate unusual trouble here from the French Communists. In fact, he believes that the Soviets will strike first elsewhere but he does not know where.