700.00(S)/7–2650: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1
Infotel. Fol reactions recd re Depcirtel Jul 22, 1 a. m.: Brit PriMin Attlee said2 additional mil effort by UK under active consideration and he would be able provide broad lines increased rearmament and additional financial outlay by Aug. 5. He seemed particularly impressed by our expression willingness make dollar compensation for loss exports pointing out that rearmament program would put special strain on Brit engineering industry which played important role in UK’s balance of payments. He felt that if agreement could be reached for more complete exchange technical info and assignment tasks between US and UK it would result in substantial overall saving. Fr Premier Pleven deeply impressed by our approach [Page 142] and promised statement by Aug 5 of increased effort he will propose for France.3 Pleven’s disappointment over deliveries 1950 MDAP program, however, apparently intensified by attitude of Brit at Brussels Treaty meeting4 where in his view they had taken negative attitude toward committing ground forces in Europe and had been evasive on air cover. While he saw no difficulty in raising manpower for future agreed Fr commitments he saw no point in taking steps to that end until armament for recruits was in sight and specific agreements as to air cover and logistic support were in existence. Norwegian FonMin said5 Norway will take all steps possible paralleling other Atlantic Pact countries but because of size and geography does not wish lead parade. FonMin discussing problem immed with other interested cabinet Mins and FonAffsCom of Parliament and will be able give definite assurances before Aug 5. He also said if necessary govt prepared call special session Parliament. He indicated it would be helpful know exactly what steps other Atlantic Pact countries taking and if Parliament’s being called into special session where Parliamentary approval of requested assurances is necessary. Dutch FonMin Stikker said6 he alone in cabinet had advocated stepping up Defense program. He had been violently opposed by Finance Min and otherwise apathetic cabinet and he had recd but feeble support from Defense Min. Emb The Hague’s impression of Dutch public opinion however is that mass of people are further ahead in their concern for necessity strengthening European armed forces than such officials as Finance Min. Danish FonMin understood urgently our views and said7 he would bring them at once to Cabinet’s attn. Belgian cabinet members involved with internal problems incident Leopold’s return but Emb Brussels hopes stimulate govt’s urgent consideration our views.8 No reactions yet recd from Lisbon, Ottawa and Rome.
- Sent to Brussels, Copenhagen, The Hague, Lisbon, London, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Reykjavik, and Rome.↩
- Telegram 494, July 24, from London, not printed; 740.5/7–2450.↩
- Reported in telegram 419, July 23, from Paris, not printed; 740.5/7–2350.↩
- Meeting of the Defense Ministers at Fontainebleau, July 20, accompanied by their Chiefs of Staff. Also present were Field Marshal the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, Chairman of the Commanders in Chief Committee, and the three Commanders in Chief.↩
- Reported in telegram 86, July 24, from Oslo, not printed; 740.5/7–2450.↩
- Reported in telegrams 118, July 24, and 127, July 25, from The Hague, neither printed; both 740.5/7–2550.↩
- Reported in telegram 106, July 25, from Copenhagen, not printed; 740.5/7–2550.↩
- Telegram 112, July 25, from Brussels, not printed; 740.5/7–2550. In telegram 140, July 28, not printed, Ambassador Murphy referred to the July 22 circular telegram and said that he had delivered its substance to Van Zeeland who had made an excellent statement of foreign policy concerning it in the Belgian Senate on July 27. Later, Van Zeeland had told Murphy that the Belgian Government was “willing to go as far if not further than any member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization” in support of President Truman’s policy as announced in the July circular. (740.5/7–2850)↩