740.5/9–550: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
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1157. I saw Schuman this afternoon. He stated that he regretted the inability of the French Government to agree to referring the matters raised by Deptel 1124, September 2, to the Council of Ministers of NATO although, as he had previously indicated, he was agreeable to discussing them at a meeting of the three Ministers.
He had referred this matter to the Cabinet and Pleven and himself feel very strongly that discussions between the three Ministers may result in such a divergence of views upon certain problems, notably that concerning any German rearmament, that it would be most unfortunate for the Council of Twelve to become aware of these differences.
In the past he had always found that when Messrs. Acheson, Bevin and himself met in person they had been successful in reaching agreement even upon the most difficult issues. He hoped that such would again prove the case next week, but that until it was certain that such an agreement could be reached, in spite of his regret at delaying a procedure of which the American Government was so desirous, Pleven and himself felt that they had no other choice than to object to these questions being placed on the agenda of the NATO meetings.
Schuman is leaving immediately for Rome, returning here Saturday night and leaving on Sunday for New York.
[Page 268]In my opinion the French Government will not change its stand in this regard.
Sent Department 1157; repeated information London 302.