740.5/1–2051: Telegram

The Supreme Allied Commander, Europe ( Eisenhower ) to the NATO Standing Group, at Washington 1

confidential

75. Department pass Army for Standing Group repeated information for Secretary Defense. From General Eisenhower. My conferences with NATO authorities in several the countries thus far visited, have revealed considerable confusion and frustration resulting from failure to reach decisions on production questions such as types weapons to be manufactured and degree to which standardization should be applied certain military procurement fields. In some instances, I am informed that such matters have been under discussion for some two years, with no concrete results yet apparent.

Some expeditious solution in a number of specific instances is essential if we are to recreate national enthusiasm for intensified defense effort. I strongly urge immediate action to establish a high level group of about three members composed such men as General Whitely from UK, with representatives of comparable stature and experience from [Page 445] the US and France, to meet as soon as practicable and come to some reasonable agreement on items particularly where answers appear obvious. There are other important cases where delays are even now resulting in idle production capacity in Europe and perhaps critical loss of time in delivery of end items.

I realize that a NATO standardization committee is in process of organization but I am convinced that great impetus to solution this complicated problem can be given by such a group. I am firmly of opinion that representatives should not be merely technicians but should be officers of broad experience who should be empowered to make decisions.

  1. This telegram was repeated to London for General Kibler and to Paris for General Schuyler.