Office of the Historian

740.5/12–851

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, Aboard the SS “Independence”1

secret
Washington, December 8, 1951—1:15 p. m.

Since Rome NAC spate of editorials and news stories has appeared in US press to effect that Paris Conf re EDC has failed for all intents and purposes and that question is now posed as to what form Ger participation in def west will take.

While we believe effect of above on Paris conferees can be useful to some extent as prod for agreeing some form of draft EDC treaty, there wld appear also to be danger that rash these press stories cld be interpreted as indication US Govt has given up all hope any kind EDC this time.

Therefore, we wonder if it might not be useful for you at press conf upon your landing to strike two notes re EDC negots: 1) urgency reach agreement and that NATO cannot wait indefinitely; 2) confidence that agreement will be reached.

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French Emb indicated yesterday Fr Govt fears that US wavering in its support and that this wld handicap negots about to start at min level. We reaffirmed our position of full support along lines your conversation Schuman Plan but think above public statement by you wld be helpful.2

Webb
  1. This telegram was drafted by Ridgway B. Knight, Adviser on NATO Affairs. Secretary of State Acheson departed from Naples for New York aboard the SS Independence on December 4.↩
  2. See Williams’ memorandum of conversation, December 6, supra.↩