860F.00/2–2548: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
725. Discussed Deptel 634, February 24,1 with Bevin2 this afternoon. He expressed great concern over the developments in Czechoslovakia, and informed me that he had been giving serious consideration during the course of the last two days to the steps, if any, which [Page 737] HMG might take in collaboration with US. He had come to the tentative conclusion that we were impotent in the matter, and that the mere filing of a protest against or otherwise challenging the Communist coup in Czechoslovakia, would, unless we could take positive steps, merely reveal our weakness in the situation which he regretted very much indeed.
Bevin appreciates the possible consequences in western Europe, and particularly in Italy, if the seizure of power by Communist party in. Czechoslovakia goes unchallenged. At the same time he is reluctant, to take an action which would merely disclose our impotence. At my suggestion he is, however, sincerely re-examining the matter, particularly with a view to determining what, if any, joint US-UK-French action in the United Nations might be appropriate.
He will discuss with me tomorrow the results of his review of the situation.