740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–1048: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Embassy in France
us urgent
1019. 1. In regard to Deptel 4591, December 9,1 after French Assembly debate it was suggested to Alphand that the position which he was taking here in London in regard to extending the functions of the Ruhr authority over other areas in western Europe was inconsistent with the basic view expressed in the Assembly. Specifically, it was suggested to Alphand that either the French put forward a proposal which would clothe the Ruhr authority with jurisdiction over other areas, or alternatively, that the French propose that the present governments participating in the present conference on the Ruhr issue a separate declaration expressing their intention of extending the authority of the Ruhr agency over other areas at some time in the future.
2. The second alternative referred to above was put forward only after Alphand had rejected the first alternative.
3. As to the second alternative, Alphand’s reaction was that it would be very difficult for the French government to join now in such a declaration.
4. In spite of what has so far transpired in London on this question, if Caffery agrees, I hope, in accordance with Deptel 4591, he will take the matter up with Schuman and urge that Alphand be instructed to bring the policy which he is expressing in London into accord with the policy which was expressed in the debates in the French Assembly by proposing that the functions of the Ruhr authority be extended to other areas in western Europe. If Schuman gives a negative response, I would then hope, if Caffery sees no objection, he urge Schuman to instruct Alphand to propose the second alternative referred to in paragraph one above.2
Sent Paris 1019 personal for Ambassador Caffery repeated Berlin 639 and Department [5192 for Lovett].
- Not printed; it asked if Ambassador Caffery, should the occasion present itself, usefully point out to Schuman and other French Foreign Ministry officials the apparent contradiction between the Foreign Minister’s excellent sentiments expressed in the National Assembly debate on the Ruhr and Alphand’s position at the London Conference on the Ruhr (740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–748).↩
- In his telegram 5294, December 18, from London, not printed, Ambassador Douglas reported that he talked with Ambassador Caffery on the telephone concerning the extension of the functions of the Ruhr Authority over other areas of Western Europe. It was the view of both Ambassadors that it would be better not to press the issue and instead to include language about cooperation and integration in the Ruhr Conference communiqué. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–1848)↩