840.00/10–2949: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
priority
3820. For Douglas and Perkins. Neither Sec nor Webb will be available until tomorrow. In their absence we1 do not feel we could fully authorize approach of nature suggested in ur 4423.2 Will try to give instructions on that tomorrow but in any event do not believe such strong pressure should be addressed solely to Spaak’s appointment. However Dept approves strong representations to Brit by Douglas along lines points mentioned ur 4422.3 We believe Brit should be forcefully made aware of seriousness with which we view present situation and discouraging outlook if important progress is not made along lines ur 4422 at very least in vitalizing OEEC and in resolving some of fundamental European problems including integration of Germany in Europe. Suggested appointment of Spaak, or other individual if equally suitable personality could be found, is only one step in this program which we consider urgently necessary.
None of steps proposed in ur 4422 were excluded by program envisaged in Dept’s 4013.4 In fact they are of type which we have always regarded as envisaged in OEEC convention. However, Brit should be informed that we consider these to be only beginning and that it is urgent to consider more far-reaching measures.
In security field great progress has been and is being made through Western Union and Atlantic Pact but corresponding progress in economic field has been seriously lacking due in large part to UK’s hanging back rather than taking leadership. We cannot stress too strongly that continuance of this situation is bound to have serious effects on opinion in this country, which is increasingly tending to demand that contribution which US is making be met by determined effort on part of Europeans themselves to resolve their pressing economic [Page 435] and political problems. US for its part continues ready to explore in OEEC and with UK and Canadians how its own cooperation can be made more effective.
- This telegram was drafted by Llewellyn E. Thompson and Theodore C. Achilles of the Bureau of European Affairs and was initialed for the Secretary by Thompson. It was repeated to Frankfurt, Rome, and Paris as 2299, 2632, and 4062, personal for McCloy, Dunn, and Bruce, respectively.↩
- Not printed; it reported that those attending the meeting of U.S. Ambassadors at Paris considered that it was necessary to change the British attitude with regard to OEEC as described in telegram 4174 from London, October 18. They recommended that Douglas be authorized by October 25 to make a forceful presentation to Bevin and Cripps to the effect that lack of action in this matter “would not only seriously jeopardize possibility of Congress voting funds for adequate program for 1951 but would mean passage of crippling amendments and stringent conditions. Under these circumstances the Executive branch would be forced to re-examine its position and to consider what program it would be justified in recommending to Congress. He should also be authorized to say that the US intends to discuss this matter fully with other OEEC members.” (840.00/10–2249)↩
- Ante, p. 342.↩
- Post, p. 469.↩