850.33/9–1250: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
secret
Paris, September 12, 1950—8 p. m.
Subject: Schuman proposals—defense aspects.
1296. Reference Deptel 631 August 3, Frankfort’s 1615 August 24 to Department.
- 1.
- We have tried to interest Monnet on number of occasions in defense considerations which might be specifically taken into account in elaborating treaty on Schuman proposals, pointing out possible danger mentioned first part Department’s reftel. He insists that it is not a real issue and that problem has not been seriously discussed in conference except that Dutch use it as an example of why the governments should play a role. He claims that neither the Dutch nor the other delegations have suggested the need of specific defense provisions or raised question of a general escape clause or any other impairment of necessary powers of high authority for defense reasons.
- 2.
- We concur entirely with view expressed HICOG’s reftel that it would be unwise to inject it as an issue in the present negotiations or to suggest that any specific text should be inserted in the proposed treaty. Until it is clear how far the European countries are willing to go on unified defense and what role Germany is to play, the injection of this issue would do more harm than good. If question is seriously raised in conference, we would suggest, subject to your views, that principles outlined in Deptel 631 be given informally to conference delegates.
Bruce