740.5/11–1350: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State
Depto 173. Alphand’s statement this afternoon followed closely text previously reported by Paris1 and copies which he distributed at meeting appear substantially identical. Most significant statement he made was at conclusion of his remarks and was not included in distributed text. It was that he was prepared to discuss any proposals, US or others, on question of German contribution, to answer any questions and to do everything in his power to bring about agreed solution. It is perhaps also significant that in speaking he repeatedly [Page 449] used the words “High Commissioner of Defense” where the written was “European Defense Minister”.
For benefit of posts which have not previously received text, Alphand’s statement followed generally lines of Pleven proposal in agreeing to German participation in Western defense only in form of small units integrated in European Army financed by common budget, subject to European Defense Ministry and some form of European assembly. He alleged significant advance from French position in September of opposition to any form of German rearmament to present agreement to German rearmament subject to these conditions. France welcomed safeguards proposed by US but considered them insufficient. He referred to expressed US interest in unification of Europe and maintained Pleven proposal significant contribution toward this end and toward Franco-German reconciliation. European Army would be less provocative to USSR than German divisions in Atlantic Army.
Taking cognizance of criticisms made at Defense Committee meeting of French proposals, he denied that it was unreal or would take long to implement. He recognized British would probably be unable to participate but hoped for their benevolence. In conclusion he summed up French position as follows:
- 1.
- Schuman plan could and should be signed shortly.
- 2.
- Immediately thereafter there would be negotiation between the European countries which accepted principles of French proposal.
- 3.
- “Smallest” units making up European Army would be combat team (one-third of a division).
- 4.
- Certain interim measures such as preparation for recruitment in Germany, construction of barracks, etc., could be undertaken immediately provided that they did not prejudice later formation of European Army nor include training of German soldiers until European Army was formed.
- 5.
- Political institutions to which European Army would be attached would not have same breadth as those envisaged by Schuman plan and delay in formation of army would accordingly be reduced to a minimum.
- 6.
- No discrimination against Germany in framework of European Army.
- 7.
- France accepts US proposals for guarantees particularly as relates percentage of effectives and prohibited and restricted industry.
He expressed hope agreement could be realized on foregoing so that unified Atlantic forces could be established and supreme commander be named immediately.
Sent Department Depto 173, repeated info Paris 894 for Embassy and OSR, Rome 286, Ottawa 35, Frankfort unnumbered for Heidelberg 74 for Handy and Wiesbaden 99 for Cannon, Oslo 77, Copenhagen [Page 450] 92, Brussels 125 for Luxembourg, The Hague 136, Lisbon 68, Reykjavik 8.