740.5/9–2650
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant to the Secretary of State (Battle)
Mr. Acheson told me tonight that he had talked briefly to Mr. Schuman following the North Atlantic Council meeting. Mr. Schuman [Page 353] said that he was thinking, personally, that what he must do on the question of German participation in the North Atlantic Forces was to take the initiative. He said that he felt it important that France not be “drug on the end of a chain” [sic] in this matter. Mr. Schuman said that perhaps the way to do this was for the French and Germans to come to some sort of agreement, and he was now thinking what he could do to lead the development. He said that he was also considering the possibility of a Common Defense Budget between France and Germany, with the idea that the other six Ministers in Europe would eventually join him.
Mr. Acheson, in reporting this conversation to me, said he thought it important that we follow this very closely and consider closely what developments along this line would mean.