862.20 Defense/10–1149
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
The allegations which the attached memorandum1 indicates may be made to the President today concerning the wishes and activities of the US military in Germany with respect to German rearmament are much exaggerated and substantially without foundation.
[Page 286]It is true that Pentagon thinking envisages use of German manpower in the defense of Western Europe at some time in the future and under very careful safeguard. It is also true that some lower ranking officers in Germany may think and talk indiscreetly on this subject.
It is not true that the US military authorities favor the prompt rearmament of Germany, or are considering anything like 25 divisions, or favor inclusion of Germany in MAP or the Atlantic Treaty at this time, or that substantial numbers of young men in Germany are drilling in para-military organizations.
We have no reason whatever to believe, and compelling reasons not to believe, that the military are acting in anyway in this field without our knowledge or contrary to the above.
- Not found in Department of State files.↩