740.5/7–2750: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State
top secret
London, July 27,
1950—3 p. m.
Depto 13. From Spofford. Eyes only Secretaries of State, Defense and General Bradley. Following is substance of “private” handwritten letter from Montgomery received this morning (Depto 7).
Shinwell believes basis of problem is equipment. Montgomery disagrees and considers organization prerequisite to adequate utilization of equipment. In his view organization falls under three heads:
- 1.
- The nations concerned must create organization capable of bringing about effective joint defense in Europe. Such an organization has never yet been established.
- 2.
- Within each nation there must be system capable of producing military quota of that nation in accordance with requirements. No nation in continental Europe has such system.
- 3.
- There must be setup for command and control able to take charge quickly when emergency begins to develop. This setup must be established now in peace time.
Once properly organized West could begin to develop effective defense; without it we will merely drift as in past two years.
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Spofford
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