750.00/10–2050: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
616. With further reference to your circular 18 and my 562,1 I had occasion recently to put several questions to Spaak regarding European federalism. Spaak has now written me during the course of his current speaking tour. Following portion his statement is pertinent to circular 18:
“At the basis of my position as it concerns Europe, there is a certainty that the Western European countries are incapable in their present state to resolve each one by itself a certain number of problems.
“I think that it is unnecessary to demonstrate this in the military field. I think also that what is true in the military field is also true in the economic field and that when you say that you personally had been encouraged by the standard of living achieved in Europe since the war, I must remind you that this would not have been possible without the generosity of your country. What would have become of the European standard of living if we had not had Marshall Aid? That being said, I do not think that there is a present possibility to realize a federal Europe but I think that in certain fields carefully delimited and very precise (the Schuman Plan appears to me to be a particularly interesting trial), an integration of the several interested European countries would be possible. I believe personally that arrangements at the government level, between the states which have conserved integrally their national sovereignty, provides an entirely insufficient solution and does not permit the resolution of certain fundamental problems.
“An Europe organized on new bases must absolutely reject the concept of neutrality in the great conflicts which divide the world. This new Europe must, to the contrary, bring its force to bear in full independence and where, in its eyes, the defense of right and of its essential [Page 682] interest is found. That is to say, at the side of the US and Atlantic community. I am not at all sure at the present time that a great majority among the European peoples is fully conscious of these problems, nor in accord with the solution which I propose.
“I believe that there is in this field enormous work to be done. I must say that this work is not facilitated by the position taken by the English who seem to be more and more hostile to tying themselves to Europe. But for me, a federation or national European organization without the English would be contrary to the purpose which I propose. But it would unduly lengthen this letter to explain to you all of the reasons and all the dangers which I perceive in a purely continental union.
“It seems to me that during the last years, the US have done what they could to enable us to organize Europe. The result would have been infinitely more favorable if on the English side, one had shown the same good will and desire.
“I continue, however, to believe that at the same time, within the framework of ECA and military affairs, the US will be able to help us considerably.”
Sent Department 616, repeated information London 106, Paris 133, Frankfort 39.