Office of the Historian

740.5/12–2950: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1

confidential
Washington, December 29, 1950—8 p. m.

325. Genl Gruenther today conveyed fol info to Standing Grp and Accredited Reps of NAT countries (Iceland had no rep present at Gruenther mtgs today) concerning Genl Eisenhower’s trip to Europe and estab of SHAPE. You may wish to make this info available orally to govt to which you accredited.

1.
Genl Eisenhower plans leave US Jan 5 or 6 for quick survey trip to Eur. Purpose of trip is to orient himself with problems facing Supreme Commander and raise with countries any matters which appear appropriate at time. He will proceed directly to Paris where SHAPE Advance Planning Grp has been estab in Hotel Astoria. It is Genl Eisenhower’s hope to be able to visit all NATO countries this trip but schedule will not be complete until late Jan 2.
2.
Genl Eisenhower is studying structure of command which he shld have in SHAPE org. One proposed plan contemplates a CinC North, CinC Central, and CinC South. A second plan proposes there be a CinC North and CinC South with the Central sector directly under SHAPE’s command. A third solution wld place all major units initially under SHAPE, deferring until later date ques of estab of CinC’s. Genl Eisenhower has formed no tentative views as to which of these solutions is preferable or even whether there may be better solution not yet being considered. One of purposes his visit to Eur will be to secure any suggestions various Chiefs of Staff might care to offer on this matter.
3.
Genl Eisenhower is also studying the org of HQ but no decision on that matter will be made until command structure is determined.
4.
There have been speculations in press as to designation of subordinate [Page 610] commanders and of senior staff officers in SHAPE. All these are without foundation. Genl Eisenhower has all these matters under consideration but will retain an open mind on them until he has made his trip.

[Here follow details on selection of personnel for planning and liaison duties and on the schedule of the European trip.]

  1. Sent to Brussels, Ottawa, Copenhagen, Paris, The Hague, Oslo, Rome, Lisbon, and London; repeated to Reykjavik and Luxembourg.↩