Office of the Historian

700.00(S)/7–2850: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1

top secret
Washington, July 28, 1950—8 a. m.

Infotel. Fol further reactions recd re Depcirtel July 22, 1 a. m.: Ital FonMin stated his govt determined to build up Ital army and provide [Page 151] for its equipment. He declared that Itals also studying every possible contribution they could make to national and mutual defense. FonMin stated cabinet has already approved request by Defense Min for supplemental allocation funds.2 Canadian FonMin reacted favorably to our approach but he cautioned Woodward3 that some of his colleagues were still “lagging” re increased defense effort. FonMin stated however that popular demand for greater Canad effort will probably influence cabinet to reconvene Parliament earlier than originally contemplated. In order avoid further opposition and press criticism, he thought announcement re this question might soon be forthcoming. Woodward notes increasing awareness in official Canad circles that Canada’s effort has fallen short as compared with UK and other countries. During course recent conversation with US correspondent, Dutch PriMin4 indicated he now prepared consider further expenditures armed forces and hinted that Dutch also reconsidering possibility offering troops to UN forces Korea. According to correspondent, PriMin impressed by UK offer ground forces and debates Brit Parliament indicating immediate action on UK rearmament. Meanwhile Chapin informed by UK Amb that Dutch PriMin will discuss our defense suggestions with Bevin who is arriving The Hague Mon for Brussels Pact meeting. According to UK Amb, Dutch FonMin suggested conversation since he believes that only person who can fully convince PriMin necessity of prompt action now is another socialist. (Dept infotel july 26, 7 a. m.5)

Acheson
  1. Sent to Brussels, Copenhagen, Lisbon, London, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Reykjavik, and Rome.↩
  2. This information was conveyed to Washington by Ambassador Dunn in his telegram 450, July 27, not printed (765.5/7–2750).↩
  3. Stanley Woodward, newly appointed Ambassador to Canada. Woodward conveyed this information to the Department in his telegram 41, July 27, not printed. (740.5/7–2750)↩
  4. Willem Drees, Prime Minister and Minister for General Affairs.↩
  5. Ante, p. 141.↩