740.5/9–850: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
priority
Washington, September
8, 1950—1 p. m.
1260. The fol personal msg from Bevin to Sec has just been received:1
- “1. I think we are on the verge of making real progress in our defence measures and in the restoration of confidence on the mainland of Europe. Our own decision to extend national service has been followed by the Belg Govt and I think the Dutch in their own time will do the same. The Fr say they can produce 5 new divisions by next summer without increasing the training period, but if this proves impossible they will make the increase. Our decision to bring our forces in Ger up to three and a half divisions fully up to strength and ready for battle has been very well received by the Fr and I am now considering what more we can do by way of putting units on to the continent for training. At the same time the Deputies, under the very able leadership of Mr. Spofford, have made good progress with the plans for coordinated defence production and should have concrete results to report to the Atlantic Council.
- 2. But I am worried about the financial side. When you asked us to say what we cld undertake over the next three years, given US aid, we examined our capacity, both productive and financial, with the utmost care, and the answers we gave you represented the most our econ cld bear without resort to wartime measures of manpower mobilisation, requisitioning, etc. or a serious setback in our recovery. But Ave made it clear that this programme was dependent on the aid which your Govt had indicated wld be available. We now find that we are being pressed to commit ourselves to this vast production programme, and to start placing the orders before receiving any firm commitment on your side as to the extent or the form of the aid we shall receive. I know your difficulties, but I think this is not fair to us having regard to what went before. We have already made commitments for new defence production up to pounds sterling 100 million over our expected budget for this year without any firm assurance of aid and are now contemplating a further commitment of the same order. This is the limit of what our present resources will stand, and if we are to get on with anything more we must have an instalment of the aid from you. I want to get this production started. Time is short and there is a lot to do. Public opinion in this country is seized of the importance of this problem, and I do not want to lose the momentum as a result of the delays on the financial issue. I believe the 8 million trade unionists in this country will back us fully on this matter.
- 3. The other point on which I want to ask your help is on this matter of forces stationed in Europe. We were all greatly encouraged to hear of the large increases in your armed forces which you expect [Page 272] to make before July next year. Douglas told me about them and said that subj to the Far East situation the greater part of the 22 divisions which you will have will be available for North Atlantic defence. The question I asked him was how many can you station on the continent before aggression takes place. This is now the key question. If you too can increase your forces in Ger I believe it will be decisive for morale in Europe, and we shall be able to hold Fr and Ger firm. We are going to do our best, and I shall have various ideas to discuss with you when we meet, especially in regard to training our men on the continent.
- 4. As I am bothering you about money, give my regards to John.”
Re above msg and re conversations early next week Sec and Bevin it is essential Dept receive soonest full report UK–US Working Group mtg Sept 5 and any possible subsequent mtg.
Acheson
- This message from Bevin, together with another not identified in the Department of State files, was dated September 2 and sent to Acheson on September 5 by Hoyer Millar (740.5/9–550).↩