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

840.00/3–848: Telegram

The Chargé in Belgium (Millard) to the Secretary of State

secret

Brussels, March 8, 1948—11 p. m.

477. Re Western Union Rendel¹ informs me at present he sees following three major difficulties.

1. Germany: Benelux did not want anything in proposed draft regarding it along lines Dunkirk formula. Rendel thinks they would welcome a “regenerated” Germany in commonwealth of nations. French disagreed on both points and have cabled Paris for instructions. Rendel thinks French may omit mention of regenerated Germany and cut out paragraph in Anglo-French draft along lines of Dunkirk. To endeavor to bring compromise between French and Benelux; to lay foundation new economic system in west to include Germany; and in order to cover consultation in case revival threat from Germany, British have submitted following Foreign Office London for approval: “The high contracting parties will at the request of one of them, consult with regard to any matter raising an important question of policy to be adopted towards Germany in order so far as possible to harmonize their views”.

2. Second difficulty: Benelux insistance second point Embtel 473, March 8.² Dutch state treaty containing Anglo-French provision would not gain Parliamentary approval. French Ambassador suggested geographic position of attacking power be determining factor, not place of attack.

3. Third difficulty: Benelux desire create five-power economic organization. Bevin has insisted this would injure 16–power economic cooperation which he is determined to make dominant and wishes to make permanent. Rendel has recommended to Foreign Office London that this is less important to Britain than the other clauses and that it should not be made sine qua non. Rendel thinks meeting of five in addition to ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) and CEEC (Conference of European Economic Cooperation) would be at most potential nuisance and as there are bound to be talks behind the scenes at 16 meeting, this would merely give official recognition to such talks.

Sent Department 477, repeated London 58, Paris 51, Hague 41.

Millard

1. Sir George W. Rendel, British Ambassador in Belgium.
2. Reference here is to Millard’s report of a proposal by Great Britain and France to extend the requirements of mutual aid to include aggression committed against the signatories’ troops or possessions throughout the world. Telegram 473 from Brussels, not printed: 840.00/3–848.