Office of the Historian

740.5/1–951: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

secret
priority
Washington, January 9, 1951—8 p. m.

3620. Personal for Eisenhower from Acheson. Have considered question of advisability of visit by you to Germany at this time with benefit McCloy’s views2 which you will have received. I agree in general with McCloy that there is no need to avoid visit with HICOM and troop commanders in Germany and that benefit may result from trip. On the other hand failure to make such a visit might be interpreted as indication we view German participation problem with greater delicacy than it now warrants, especially now that the Allies have agreed that Germany may participate in Western defense.3

Assume, in taking above position, that McCloy has concurrence his French and British colleagues on desirability your visit. Request he confirm this fact direct to you with copy here.4

Acheson
  1. This telegram, drafted by German Affairs Director Byroade, was cleared With Secretary Acheson and repeated to Frankfurt for High Commissioner McCloy and to Brussels for Ambassador Murphy.↩
  2. See telegram 95, supra. ↩

  3. Telegram 3900, January 14, from London, for Secretary Acheson from Lieutenant General Gruenther, repeated to McCloy at Frankfurt and Handy at Heidelberg, began as follows:

    “After receipt of McCloy’s 5542 January 9 to Department [same as Frankfurt telegram 95, supra] and your subsequent message about visiting Germany [printed here] General Eisenhower said ‘okay, okay, okay’.”

    The balance of the message dealt with travel arrangements for the visit to Germany and the remainder of the General’s European tour. (740.5/1–1451)

    ↩
  4. In his telegram 5752, January 13, from Frankfurt, McCloy stated that the Eisenhower visit to Germany had been discussed with both French and British High Commissioners who expressed agreement (740.5/1–1851).↩