FW 840.20/4–2248
The Secretary of State to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs (Bidault)1
Thank you for your message of April 132 and that of the 17th which Mr. Lovett has just communicated to me.
I fully agree on the desirability and urgency of coordinated planning to meet possible emergencies. The present tripartite talks in London on Germany will provide an opportunity to discuss the current situation and its implications.
I hope you have no doubt in your mind as to the intention and determination of this Government in relation to the free countries of Europe. The President has, I believe, made that entirely clear. It is vital, I feel, to the success of the aim we all have in mind that any assurances from this country on this matter have maximum countrywide support and backing of the Congress. As you know, this is a complicated matter but Mr. Lovett advises me he is making good progress in preparations for Washington conversations with Bonnet, Inverchapel and a Benelux representative. I hope to be able by next week to suggest a definite date. The farther along we can get with the preparations for these conversations here and the farther the Parties to the Five-Power Treaty can go in implementing its terms through the permanent military machinery being established in London, the more effective our collaboration will be.
[File copy not signed]
- This message was enclosed with a note to Bonnet dated April 22, not printed, requesting that he transmit it to Bidault (840.20/4–2248). A similar note, differing only in its omission of the reference to Bidault’s message of April 13, was directed to Inverchapel on the same date for transmission to Bevin (not printed: 840.20/4–2248); also on November 22, it was quoted in telegrams to the American Ambassadors in Paris, London, Brussels and The Hague: none printed (840.20/4–2248).↩
- Not printed.↩