Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Western Europe, Volume III

740.5/9–2250: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

top secret
niact

Paris, September 22, 1950—noon.

1534. Eyes only Acheson and Webb. If conversations regarding German participation in rearmament should arrive at point where agreement seems impossible may I suggest for your consideration following procedure.

1. Say to Schuman with Moch present it would be extremely unfortunate if disunity on this matter should become apparent, repeat that US is opposed to constitution of German national army and that we realize necessity of having French public opinion support any decision arrived at in this regard. Therefore propose that Mr. Schuman who had evolved the revolutionary and admirable scheme for pooling of Western European coal, iron and steel resources might turn his attention to a constructive French suggestion as to how German manpower could be utilized in a military sense to contribute the troops essential to protect Western Europe against possible aggression.

2. Leadership in this connection should appropriately come from France, the nation that will supply the largest number of ground forces. To avoid the fear that Germans organized as military entities might threaten the security of their neighbors and might in crisis prove undependable French might advance proposition as to how Geman troops could best be bracketed into defense dispositions.

3. Unless I am mistaken narrow nature of instructions recently given by French Cabinet to Schuman and Moch preclude their taking on their own initiative any imaginative action. If, however, Schuman could relay to his Cabinet a course of conduct inspired by us but giving French Government opportunity to assert Continental leadership we might possibly obtain happy and even unexpected result.

4. Moch is difficult and dogmatic but despite his seeming assurance is vulnerable to appeals to national pride and also to personal vanity.

5. Although I am without information from Department as to present status negotiations I believe that Schuman although unable or unwilling to advance such idea as his own might recommend it if it were offered by US.

6. Hope in any event that negotiations will not be broken off and stalemate announced. This might well kill Schuman Plan, revive traditional dissensions between France and Germany and generally prejudice our objectives. Feel that agreement in principle can be reached provided conversations tactfully conducted can be somewhat further prolonged.

Department pass USUN.¹ Sent Department 1534, USUN New York 16.

Bruce

1. United States Mission at the United Nations.