Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Council of Foreign Ministers; Germany and Austria, Volume III

740.00119 Control (Germany)/6–2449: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

top secret
priority

Washington, June 24, 1949—6 p.m.

2180.¹ Pls deliver the following to Bevin as a personal message from me:

“I am seriously disturbed by the failure to settle the Berlin railroad strike which is now taking the form of a senseless self-imposed blockade and is beginning to threaten our common security in Berlin. I hope that a settlement can be found which with Western Allied help, if needed, will protect the legitimate interest of the workers. If the strikers prove recalcitrant, I believe we should consider further steps. Two courses would be possible: Either to exert our influence through our Mil Governors or to proceed to some kind of direct intervention in Berlin. Should the strikers ultimately refuse to return to work, I would be willing to have our commanders issue a proclamation along the following lines: The strike is ordered terminated and strikers compensation pay will cease; jobs will be offered strikers who are not re-employed; Military Government will take steps to protect the railroad and those who operate it. I would appreciate your views on the problem we face in Berlin, and I am addressing Mr. Schuman in a similar sense.”²

For Paris. Please deliver above message to Mr. Schuman with appropriate change in last sentence.³

For Berlin. Above is for your information.

Acheson

1. Repeated to Paris as 2270 and Berlin as 729.
2. In telegram 2473, June 27, from London, not printed, Embassy London reported that Bevin’s views coincided 100 percent with those expressed in this telegram and that similar instructions had been transmitted to the British commander in Berlin. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/6–2749)
3. In telegram 2655, June 27, from Paris, not (printed, Bruce reported that the French Foreign Office had telephoned Berlin June 25 for the latest information on the strike and on the same date had sent a note to the American Embassy advising that Schuman shared Acheson’s feelings and would do everything to bring about its end. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/6–2749)