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

Paris Embassy files, 400 European Defense Forces: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Embassy in Italy

top secret priority

Paris, December 3, 1951—3 p. m.

272. Eyes only for Acheson from Byroade. Since learning of your private conversation with Eden on the subj of the EDF,¹ I have been wondering whether a short personal message from you to him might be desirable to retain greater flexibility of action in the future when a move by the UK in this field might be extremely beneficial. An added factor is that position taken by Sir Maxwell-Fyfe at Strasbourg last week² and several editorials are beginning to indicate that position of new British Govt, after giving pre-election impression of more liberal attitude towards moves toward unity on the continent, is going to revert to traditional position of past govt. My fear is that Eden, in key role of formulation of policies for new govt, may give broader interpretation to your remarks than was intended as I understand you were speaking merely on question as to whether UK should at this late date formally enter in EDF negotiations. Should not think message need be specific in nature.

Suggested draft follows which may of course need considerable revision to reflect your actual conversations:

[Here follows the draft text of a message from Secretary Acheson to Foreign Secretary Eden which, with the exception of paragraph 6, is identical with the message subsequently delivered to Eden on December 8, page 955. For Byroade’s version of paragraph 6, see footnote 3, page 956.]

This message has been discussed with Bruce who agrees. Although Eisenhower has not seen message, substance has been discussed with him and he is in general agreement. As this will reach you shortly before you embark you may wish to consider matter until your arrival Gibralter. If you consider idea has merit, arrangements can be made there for dispatch via Madrid.³ [Byroade.]

Bruce

1. This is presumably a reference to the private luncheon conversation of November 29; see the Secretary’s memorandum of conversation, p. 746.
2. In a declaration to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on November 28, British Home Secretary Maxwell Fyfe defined British policy toward Western Europe including the possibility that Britain would associate itself with the European Defense Force in some practical way. For documentation on the interest of the United States in the activities of the Council of Europe, see volume iv.

3. In telegram 367, December 4, from Rome, not printed, Secretary Acheson replied as follows:

   “I shall send final reply to Byroade’s message (Paris 272) from Gibraltar. My first impression is adverse because first—any leak would be fatal, and, second, the 6th paragraph indicates an almost lethal weakness.” (Paris Embassy files, 400 European Defense Forces.)

   Secretary Acheson and a party of advisers departed from Naples for New York aboard the SS Independence on December 4. Byroade flew from Paris to Gibraltar late on December 6 or early December 7 to join the Secretary’s party, and the agreed text of the message to Eden was then sent to Paris for subsequent delivery in London.