851.00/6–948: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
niact
1184. For Hickerson. Agreeing quickly to my suggestion he might help in building up Bidault’s resistance to pressures inside France Spaak will use Guillaume as medium (he considers unwise telephone Bidault direct adding Bidault so hypersensitive that conversation by [Page 322] phone too liable to create misapprehension or to wound feelings). He will also send Socialist in whom he has confidence to talk with Blum.1
Spaak intends follow line developed in Embtel 1161 June 52 but principal emphasis will be attempt to get Bidault to realize strength his own position (as opposed to his defeatist attitude during negotiations) and to present London Agreement as long vigorous forward one. He expects to accentuate again remarkable difference between responsible American public opinion after this war as compared with its isolationist attitude following 1914–18 war. However, he gave me impression he feels Bidault so touchy that any approach must be most carefully phrased and staged.3
Spaak understands our concern which he shares although he thought this morning’s news from France showed some revival inherent good sense people. He cannot understand De Gaulle, saying any fantastic claims upon USA to guarantee French security would show very unrealistic view of current situation in both Europe and America.
- In telegram 1161, June 5, from Brussels, Ambassador Kirk reported on a conversation with Belgian Foreign Minister Spaak. Spaak felt that Bidault was entirely too sensitive to French internal political pressures and had overlooked the importance of American expressions of determination to maintain troops in Germany until a stable peace had been achieved. (840.00/6–548) Telegram 868, June 7, to Brussels, not printed, instructed Ambassador Kirk to ask Foreign Minister Spaak most urgently whether he did not consider it advisable for him to give Bidault some message designed to strengthen the latter in his efforts to obtain parliamentary approval of the London recommendations on Germany (840.00/6–548).↩
- Not printed; see preceding footnote.↩
- In his telegram 1221, June 12, from Brussels, not printed, Ambassador Kirk reported having been informed by Foreign Minister Spaak that Belgian Ambassador Guillaume had made a démarche with Foreign Minister Bidault. Bidault expressed his thanks for Spaak’s interest and promised to do his best (851.00/6–1248).↩