751.00/2–1948: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
516. We are gratified at Schuman’s attitude toward Lond talks as indicated 812 Feb 13.1
Prior to and during Lond talks we would appreciate your talking to him, Bidault and others on following lines:
[Page 71]French preoccupation with Germany as major threat at this time seems to us outmoded and unrealistic. Germany might possibly become threat in distant future but in meantime real threat to France seems to us to be another power which will undoubtedly seek to utilize substantial segment of German economy if unable to get control of Germany. In our opinion French security for many years to come will depend on integration of Western Europe including western German economy. Unless western Germany during coming year is effectively associated with Western European nations, first through economic arrangements, and ultimately perhaps in some political way, there is a real danger that whole of Germany will be drawn into eastern orbit, with obvious dire consequences for all of us.
Sent Paris; reptd Lond for Reber as 553 and Berlin as 297.
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The telegram under reference reported on a conversation between Harry Woodring, former Secretary of War, and French Premier Robert Schuman. The conversation dealt largely with the French economy and the Marshall Plan, but it touched on Germany as follows:
↩“With respect to Germany, the Prime Minister said that instructions had been given to the French delegates attending the London conferences next week to modify the French position so as to permit a cordial modus Vivendi between Great Britain, the United States, and France. He added the French Government considered present West German situation ‘unsatisfactory’, and that French Government had decided to take necessary steps so as to arrive at a rapid and realistic solution satisfactory to all concerned.” (840.50 Recovery/2–1348)