Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

862A.181/5–2550: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

secret
priority

Washington, May 26, 1950—6 p. m.

2443. Praha’s 775 May 25 (sent Paris 115, London 97, Frankfurt 114)¹ apparently contradictory views Fr Amb London (London 2871 May 23, rptd Praha 49, Paris 903, Frankfurt 252²) and views Fr Amb here that Fr Govt in agreement with us on most points and wld so instruct Fr Amb Praha.

In light latest Czech move against AmEmb Praha, request you make desired representation to FonOff that authority be granted soonest to Fr Amb Praha so that action outlined Deptel 382 Praha, rptd Paris 2325, London 2456 and Frankfurt 3608,³ can be implemented. This action detailed in Praha’s Des 480, May 18,⁴ (sent Paris, London and Frankfurt) in which Dept concurs except for para 2(d)3. Emb London also requested press for high level decision (London’s 2871) especially in view arrest Br Emb clerk Praha yesterday and possible beginning same cycle activities against Brit in Czecho.

Briggs comments third para Praha’s 754, May 18, (sent London 95, Paris 114, and HICOG 111)⁵ considered pertinent by Dept and both London and Paris shld press for fullest authorization soonest Fr and Br Ambs Praha to implement this comparatively mild deterrent action. Advise.⁶

Webb

1. Not printed. It reported that the French Ambassador in Czechoslovakia had been authorized to join with the American and British Ambassadors in retaliatory action against the Czechoslovak Government, but only on a most restricted basis. (862A.181/5–2550)
2. Not printed. It reported that the British Foreign Office had tentatively, if reluctantly, agreed to retaliate against Czechoslovakia through the Allied High Commission Permit Office in Praha in concert with the American and French authorities; the French Embassy in London indicated that its government was also in agreement on most points of the proposed tripartite action. (862A.181/5–2350)
3. May 22, p. 565.
4. Not printed.
5. Not printed. In it Ambassador Briggs reported that the British, French, and American Embassies in Praha had all recently warned Czechoslovak authorities in general terms of the inevitable results of their current course of conduct. Ambassador Briggs specifically mentioned the Allied High Commission Permit Office in his representations. Nevertheless, within a few days the Czechoslovak authorities again took completely unjustified and highly provocative action against the United States and the United Kingdom. Briggs observed that the United States was in the position of a person who has had a chip knocked off his shoulder, and he urged some action be taken with respect to the Permit Office rather than be left in the position of having a bluff called. (862A.181/5–1850)
6. Telegram 3001, May 31, from London, not printed, reported that tripartite retaliatory action in Praha through the Permit Office had been approved by the British at the “top level” (862A.181/5–3150). After a number of representations to French authorities, telegram 2840, June 12, from Paris, not printed, reported that the French Foreign Ministry had given Ambassador Rivière sufficient authorization to cooperate effectively with his British and American colleagues in the proposed tripartite action (862A.181/6–1250). Telegram 57, July 28, from Praha, not printed, reported that the delaying tactics by the Permit Office, which were initiated on June 7, had almost no effect (862A.181/7–2850).