800.48 FAA/12–1047
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
Martel 57. For Lovett from Marshall. Please give following message to Speaker Martin from myself and Dulles1 with copy to Vandenberg:2
[Page 815]“Certain reported provisions of House Interim Aid Bill give grave concern to French Government and to us. These are particularly: (1) Right to use freely franc equivalent after next June; (2) right to supervise French domestic production of products similar to interim aid. First provision would give United States power to direct or destroy any French fiscal program, and, second would be offensive to national dignity and both would seem to confirm Soviet thesis that US attempting reduce France to status of American colony. Another reported provision is total prohibition export similar goods. This in main unobjectionable but there is small border traffic particularly with Switzerland where coal exchange for food very advantageous for France. Would greatly appreciate your bringing this matter to attention of House conferees. We believe Senate bill in these matters better avoids embarrassing precarious situation in France where struggle by no means ended by initial government victory.”