740.5/7–2650: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State 1
Depto 7. Depto 4, July 25.2 Following French luncheon informal discussion took place. Montgomery led off with strong statement of absolute deficiency of western European planning and inadequacy of ground and air forces. In latter connection he stated no forces capable of resistance in western Europe except two US divisions and mentioned specifically inadequate state of training of French troops. He reviewed divisional ground and air force requirements and stated that three things were required: (1) organization at the national level in connection with which he stressed necessity for general increase in period of military service; (2) reorganization at international level, here he referred to merger of the regions but did not specifically mention director general idea; (3) provision of equipment and again emphasized importance of lengthened military service. Montgomery stated General De Lattre was entirely in agreement with him, and De Lattre later confirmed this in somewhat emotional fashion.
Shinwell stated British Government had been considering carefully problem of increase in its military effort and that he would make statement to Parliament today, indicative that a step-up over two-year period would be proposed. He concluded that Europe could furnish the men but equipment must come from outside.
Moch reviewed at length French political problems in connection with increased military effort, referring to their internal difficulties, necessity for maintaining a standard of living and the bleeding which was resulting from Indo-China. He also stated the problem in terms of material. As to manpower, he said the French would provide their share but must not become the “infantry of Europe”.
It was apparent that there was definite division of opinion between ministers and the military, which is probably basis for the failure of Fontainebleau group to make a report to the deputies. I asked what decisions Fontainebleau meeting had arrived at on the basis of [Page 144] Marshal Montgomery’s recommendations, in reply to which he observed that ministers were unable take the necessary decisions.
Moch and Shinwell both stated that objective of luncheon was to put me in picture and to let me have their views. They all stated they would be glad to appear before deputies if we should think it desirable.
I took opportunity to restate substance of Depcirtel, July 23 [22] and stated that it was urgent we have strongest evidence possible of intentions of the governments at earliest moment as basis for legislation which President was considering.
[Here follows a description of further discussion of a more technical nature between Spofford, Moch, and Alphand following the breakup of the luncheon meeting. John S. Cooper, who accompanied Spofford to the initial meetings of the Council Deputies, took part in this discussion and in the meeting just preceding it.]
Our impression of the whole conference was favorable. It did not appear to be primarily designed to pressure US on reorganization of NATO which was passed over almost completely. Our interpretation of the meeting was that the military and ministers having been in some disagreement at Fontainebleau wished to discuss the problems of manpower and equipment before spreading them on the record of the deputies and to lay the basis for further requests.
- This Depto telegram and several others that follow in the Depto series are attributed in this compilation to Spofford despite the fact that they were signed by Douglas and seldom stated in the text that they were “from Spofford.” Some of the telegrams are in the third person, some in first, but they were apparently all drafted by Spofford or his staff and were his responsibility.↩
- In Depto 4, not printed, Spofford outlined the plans for this luncheon given by the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, René Massigli, to bring Douglas, Spofford, and Admiral Conolly together with Montgomery, Shin well, Moch, and French General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (740.5/7–2550).↩