Office of the Historian

840.20/3–1148

Memorandum of Conversation, by Frederick Nolting of the Division of Northern European Affairs

confidential
[Washington,] March 11, 1948.
Participants: Mr. Van Kleffens, Ambassador of the Netherlands
Mr. Armour, Assistant Secretary of State
Mr. Nolting, NOE

Ambassador Van Kleffens called at his request to discuss latest developments in the Five-Power Conference at Brussels leading toward an alliance of the United Kingdom, France and the three Benelux countries.

Mr. Van Kleffens stated that, while the draft treaty was still in malleable form, he would like to be placed in a position to inform his government concerning any suggestions which this Government might have with regard to the proposed treaty, with a view towards making it more acceptable to the United States. Stating frankly that the military features of the draft treaty did not mean a great deal unless backed, in some form or other, by the United States, Mr. Van Kleffens [Page 44] mentioned a proposal by the British to extend the commitment of military aid in case of aggression to territorial possessions of the signatory powers. He said that in the view of his government such an extension would vitiate the strength of the mutual assistance clause by making it apply to irrelevant matters. Pointing out that his government preferred a solid and direct treaty, Mr. Van Kleffens asked whether this Government shared his view.

Mr. Armour replied that according to our latest information this issue had been compromised; that the draft treaty now provided automatic mutual assistance in case of attack in Europe, and consultation in the event of attack outside Europe. Mr. Van Kleffens stated that he would consider such a compromise satisfactory to his government.

Toward the close of a general conversation, Ambassador Van Kleffens returned to his original subject, and stressed the importance to the morale of the Western European countries of a responsive reaction from the United States regarding Western European union. Mr. Armour assured Mr. Van Kleffens that this Government would study the text of an agreement with the keenest interest to determine to what extent and in what manner we might lend our support.