740.5/10–3150: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
2313. For Ambassador, eyes only, no distribution. When DefComite reconvened 9:30 this morning, Secretariat’s draft of US proposal made end yesterday’s session was adopted. Moch accepted but commented that separate consideration polit and mil aspects of Ger contribution would not be fruitful and that he had not understood last evening this part Chairman’s suggestion. Reaffirmed his belief Mil Comite won’t be able do useful work by itself and that joint session both groups will quickly reveal itself necessary in view interplay polit and mil factors.
Marshall then opened discussion as to whether agenda items 7 and 8 (creation of integrated Eur Defense force and establishment of supreme headquarters, re-org of NATO mil structure) shld be joint and so recommended. He added, however, that estab of an integrated force whose mission is to defend Western Eur including Western Ger was directly linked with preceding items on agenda concerning role which Germany shld play in common defense. In opinion US Govt until US knows what arrangements will be agreed by NATO on contribution of Germany to defense WE including Western Germany, it is not possible give final form to command and mil structure for integration force. He proposed the Def Commite refer these two papers back to Mil Commite without action at this time by Def-comite and that Milcomite be requested continue study these subjs and further develop and modify them as required in light of their [Page 424] study of Ger problem. Before doing so, however, he asked for comite’s opinion as to whether or not it wld be useful to examine the broad points contained in these docs and also to consider whether any drafting changes might be necessary.
Joint consideration of both papers was decided.
Shinwell expressed profound concern over turn of events in Def-comite adding that Gen Marshall’s statement only confirmed his worst fears. Thought Ger contribution was heart of problem and as long items 7 and 8 were tied thereto little advantage in discussing them. Suggested short recess of two or three days to seek solution.
Shinwell stated obvious Marshall’s declaration meant US Govt not prepared to proceed either with integrated force, new NATO mil structure or appointment supreme commander until method obtaining realistic Ger contribution decided. Added this might mean UK reluctance make additional contributions to Western forces. Insisted Defcomite could not break up without at least some success and urged two or three days recess to permit discs and exchanges of views.
Moch pointed to gravity US declaration and to UK’s even more alarming interpretation thereof and sought to “straighten the record”. He alleged change of policy on part US since NY Council mtg, in particular in matter of naming supreme allied commander soonest. Regardless of changes on parts of others he instead wished reaffirm Fr res push forward Fr rearmament at the announced rhythm as long as materially possible.
Marshall expressed desire specifically comment on point raised by Moch and especially concerning US position in Milcomite where Ger contribution not discussed. He said he had instructed personally US reps to refrain from any disc of Ger rearmament solely to be helpful and to give maximum time to Fr Gov and parliament for disc and decision.
Italy expressed belief that any further disc items 7 and 8 wld only be theoretic view of US position which had been expected and was in full agreement with the US position ever since the initiation of discs in the Council. Urged recess for half hour.
After recess Belgium recommended adjournment and new mtg in fifteen days after Deps and Milcomite wld have studied proposal.
Moch agreed with Belg recommendation and emphasized that adjournment for two or three days highly undesirable: a) it wld publicize difficulties and b) view inadequate time resumption on Friday wld only reveal same deadlock as today.
Den rep strongly urged two or three days recess even though it might cause Moch and Fr Gov some difficulties. Def Mins cld hot go home with only failure to report. In long attack against Fr position [Page 425] he expressed disappointment “to use mild word” that all Fr statements and Fr plan reveal complete disregard security of Denmark and Norway. Stated this was strange manner for Fr to pave way towards Eur federation and called on other reps to express frankly their thoughts about Fr policy. Practical solution of Denmark’s security problem must be found and urged two or three days recess.
Norway supported Denmark’s proposal and reflected Denmark’s opinion of Fr in more dipl language. Concluded by saying it was duty of statesmen to lead people and expressed hope that Moch will devote himself to creating situation [in] Fr be it in two or three days or else in fourteen days which wld permit Fr Gov to discuss problem with more open mind.
Port supported brief recess formula.
Commenting on Den attack, Moch expressed indignation that Fr’s efforts to unite Eur cld be turned against her and that she cld be accused of selfishness.
Stated methods which seemed quickest were not always fastest and again emphatically stated two or three days insufficient to arrive at solution acceptable to all.
Neth reminded mtg her attitude different from France’s and believed Fr plan presented perhaps insurmountable difficulties. Also pointed to impossibility convince Ger youth stand guard on Elbe unless they do so with their heart and soul, which is not to be expected under Fr proposal. This means must, however, proceed cautiously and therefore safest course to reconvene in two weeks.
Lux agreed.
Shinwell rptd many of his previous arguments concerning gravity of moment, particularly in light US statement. Criticized Belg proposition as similar to line of reasoning favoring reference of problem back to Council. While UK wld have much preferred Nor proposal for short recess, Shinwell now resigned to fourteen or fifteen day solution view Fr inflexibility.
Italy also expressed belief that longer recess only solution offering chances of agreement.
Can agreed with preceding speakers in that risk of failure if comite reconvened too soon was such that regretfully Can supported longer adjournment.
Den withdrew its proposal and it was finally decided that the next mtg wld be subj to the call of the chair, with no time limit indicated.
When mtg reconvened at 3 p. m. it was decided to omit dis on items 7 and 8 until next mtg when wld be considered with item 6.
Item 9, North Atlantic Ocean Command Org, in case of war, was approved subj to a Dutch technical reservation concerning the lack of [Page 426] an adequate command org in Western Eur waters, and particularly with reference to convoys between Benelux and UK. The chair stated this matter shld receive the Standing Group’s earliest attn.
Item 10, estab of a mil standardization agency in NATO. Belgium pointed to the necessity of going further than standardization agency and establish an office to set mil requirements, not only in quality but in quantity and time-phases; that the absence of such an agency has materially delayed natl armament programs.
Can stressed its experience in the field of internatl standardization of mil equipment due to its long experience with both UK and US types and placed herself at the NATO’s disposal.
The standardization report was noted.
Item 11: US statement on East-West trade. Statement2 was noted after Moch had expressed France’s skepticism due to failure of previous attempts in this field such as sanctions against fascist countries.
Item 12: Assoc of the Turk and Greek Govs with NATO mil planning. Report was noted and referred to the Council for its info.
At the suggestion of Belgium, it was decided that the US wld retain chairmanship of Defcomite until present agenda wld be exhausted at the next session and it was agreed that Belgium wld take the chair at the end of the next mtg. It was also decided to synchronize the turnover of the chairmanship of the Milcomite with the Defcomite. Consequently, Gen Bradley will remain chairman until Belgium takes over the Defcomite. Communiqué3 was then agreed and mtg adjourned at 5:30.
- Repeated to London as 2262 (for Ambassador) and to HICOG, Frankfort, as 3217 (for McCloy).↩
- The text of this statement, presented by Marshall to the Defense Committee at this point, is scheduled for publication in volume iv.↩
- The communiqué, released to the press on November 1, included the following statement concerning the Defense Ministers’ discussions of a European army: “The Ministers considered that the broad questions before the Defense Committee so vitally affected the organization of the future integrated force for the defense of Europe that decisions on the final form of the military organization and command structure should be postponed until there had been further consideration of the issues involved.”↩