Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 1

740.5/6–2651: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret
priority

Paris, June 26, 1951—6 p. m.

8096. From MacArthur. ReDeptel 6045 to London rptd Paris 6989² and Depto 1167³ rptd Paris 2795. Fol represents considered view US element SHAPE including C/S re distribution infrastructure costs:

While it is not Gen. Eisenhower’s intention to inject himself into resolution of problem of distribution of infrastructure costs, Deptel 6989 has certain implications re successful execution of infrastructure program which seem to require comment.

The principles proposed for governing US participation in financing of NATO infrastructure as set forth Deptel 6989 appear fair and logical from theoretical standpoint. They do not however appear to be in accordance with urgency of situation as we view it here.

It is recognized infrastructure planning shld be consummated far in advance of time approval and financing are required. That is not case in which we find ourselves. Events have caught up with us. Planning data required for application of cited principles is not existent nor can it be produced in time by SHAPE or its subordinate HQ. For execution of infrastructure program in ‘51 we are generally limited in central Eur to low level of pre-Korean WU planning. For that reason ‘52 must be year in which infrastructure program is carried on in magnitude far greater than anything envisioned heretofore, both to make up for time already lost in central Eur and to cover requirements of northern and southern regions hitherto provided to an even lesser extent.

For this reason forceful leadership and absence of prolonged negots are required. Principles set forth reftel applied to current and future negots are likely to produce delays which will jeopardize ‘52 program and will encourage other nations to hold out for precise analytical approach, when boldness and action are required.

US is already committing augmented ground forces to Eur. Infrastructure for them and their air support must be ready in time. In like manner, to be effective, build-up of forces of other nations, much of it accomplished with US aid, must be paralleled by corresponding build-up of common use infrastructure.

Consequences of delayed execution infrastructure are so serious to security this command that it is requested US position as proposed Deptel 6989 be most carefully reviewed in light Depto 1167 and of points set forth above before final decision is reached. [MacArthur.]

Bruce

1. Repeated to London, Heidelberg, and Wiesbaden.
2. June 21, not printed (740.5/6–2151), but summarized in the memorandum by Pittman and Knight, June 26, supra.
3. June 23, not printed; it commented on Tab A of the memorandum printed supra with similar reasoning but greater detail than that used by MacArthur in telegram 8096. (740.5/6–2351)