Office of the Historian

851.6131/4–2347: Telegram

The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Clayton 1) to the Acting Secretary of State
confidential
priority
Geneva, April 23, 1947—6 p. m.

156. For Acheson and Stillwell2 from Clayton. At Ambassador Caffery’s request I saw here today Messrs. Durand, Director of National Cereal Board and Bou, representing Ministry of Agriculture of [Page 702] France. These gentlemen were accompanied by Thibodeaux our Agricultural Attaché Paris.

France is in a rather desperate position regarding grain supplies. Bread ration reduced from 300 to 250 grams effective May 1st, although not yet published. If unable to get additional help from US they will be compelled to reduce this ration to 200 grams.

French representatives stated that when Tanguy-Prigent, Minister of Agriculture, was in Washington he obtained a promised allocation of 553,000 tons of bread grains for shipment from the US,3 February, March, April, May and June. However, present program is for shipment only 423,000 tons during this period. France urgently requires shipment of remaining 130,000 tons and in addition 160,000 tons to arrive in July. They could, in case of necessity, take these 290,000 tons in corn and would like to have it shipped half each May and June: in other words, 145,000 tons of corn each in May and June to arrive in France in June and July.

Being convinced of the extreme urgency of this matter I wish to strongly recommend that you go to the President and ask him to request Agriculture to renew the procurement of wheat in the northwest to apply of course against our total export program. I understand Agriculture discontinued the purchase of wheat because of the inflationary effect of further government purchases. This present situation, however, is so critical and the grave social, economic and political consequences which will almost certainly flow from our failure to provide this aid to France seem to me to be compelling reasons for continuing procurement program in spite of inflationary aspect.

Will greatly appreciate your early advice so that we can inform the French.

Sent Department 156, repeated Paris.

[
Clayton
]
  1. William L. Clayton was also Chairman of the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Employment at Geneva, April 10–October 30, 1947.↩
  2. James A. Stillwell, International Resources Division.↩
  3. Pierre Tanguy-Prigent came to Washington in early February 1947 to discuss the cereal situation in France.↩