Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Western Europe, Volume III

840.00/7–2148: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State

top secret
niact
u.s. urgent

The Hague, July 21, 1948—11 p. m.

455. Lovink, Secretary General Foreign Office, and Boon, Chief Political Section, imparted following regarding Western Union Foreign Ministers which concluded two day session last night.¹ (Understood communiqué issued at conference end carried by all press agencies.)

1. Items on agreed agenda including cultural and social matters quickly approved in plenary session. Preparatory Meeting Financial and Economic Ministers to be held in near future to reconcile divergent views economic financial problems and to initiate study long range economic planning between Western Union countries beyond period contemplated by ERP. German economic matters were not discussed.

2. Five Foreign Ministers discussed Dutch paper proposing establishment of organization (presumably in London) to exchange and coordinate intelligence information, to evaluate Communist activities and work out common program to combat Communist (and other) subversive activities. It is emphasized organization would be top level and would have immediate priority for action of Permanent Commission in London.

3. Practically entire second day devoted east-west conflict and Berlin crisis² with discussions centered on efforts to find satisfactory solution to equation containing two unknown factors; firstly whether Soviets will embark on war and, secondly to what extent US willing collaborate with and find means of furnishing Western Union countries with material and moral support.

Specifically morning session was devoted Berlin crisis. Consensus was Russian note³ must be answered and soon, but was up to three occupying powers and was being handled in Washington. Feeling prevailed that in reply western powers must remain firm but not close door further to Soviets.

4. Regarding Washington defense talks Western Union Foreign Ministers had taken great encouragement from them but some questioned whether now was the time for conclusion of an agreement of such scope (to include Iceland and Greenland) which could be interpreted as preparation for offensive action. While talks considered of utmost usefulness and should be continued lack of proper coordination had led to various interpretations and drawing of different conclusion, but system has been established for better coordination in future.

5. Question uppermost in minds of conference participants was could not US make manifest its military support to Western Union countries in more substantial way because there is need for this support if Western Union is to make most of its potentialities. Conference cognizant of fact with forthcoming Presidential election US beset with difficulties in this connection. Western Union will give US 100 percent military cooperation although it is considered these countries are still too weak militarily to contribute substantially to common cause. In this connection Defense Ministers will shortly meet to discuss ways and means of increasing Western Union military potential, of expediting standardization of arms, et cetera.

6. Question was asked whether US realizes in event of conflict with Soviets (which could be matter of weeks) and curtain goes down over Western Union countries that it will eliminate last great industrial area outside North America and wipe out European cultural and intellectual background. Five countries represented in Western Union are building up their political, economic and cultural strength but are militarily unable to defend themselves if a conflict breaks out soon between US and Soviets. If Western Union had three to five years at present pace of recovery same fear would not exist. It was indicated that by end of August Western Union will know what will be required to strengthen their military potential and meet their economic deficiencies. In these circumstances it was absolutely necessary for the west to stand firm and be prepared for any eventuality but not to move too precipitately. This connection Lovink referred again to suggested Atlantic pact (to include Iceland and Greenland) explaining view was generally held that it would not be in interest of Western Union to join now with their small military potential. It was felt that the public (and most certainly Soviets) would interpret such a step as an offensive act. Soviet Union on the other hand, had not reacted against Brussels Pact which it would be in Western Union (and US) interest to have strengthened substantially before Western Union becomes member of larger Atlantic union.

7. Lovink emphasized Foreign Ministers meeting was characterized by frankness, realism and openness of mind which he had never seen prevail at any similar conference.

Sent Department 455, repeated London 56, Paris 52, Brussels 53.

Baruch

1. Reference here is to the second periodical meeting of the Brussels Treaty Consultative Council, July 19–20, at The Hague.
2. For documentation on this subject, see vol. ii, pp. 867 ff.
3. See vol. ii, p. 960.