740.5/8–2651
The French Foreign Minister (Schuman) to the Secretary of State 1
At the time that I acquaint you with my thoughts on the subject of the tripartite conversations that are to take place in Washington, I believe that I must also emphasize the importance of certain problems that especially concern either France-America relations or relations between the United States and the new European defense community. In regard to these I shld like to mention three considerations that appear to me essential.
First of all, the establishment of an effective European defense force within a time limit compatible with strategic necessities cannot be done without adequate American aid, both in equipment and in money. It is necessary that the amount of this aid be determined as soon as possible and that as a result the European armaments program be established with the double objective of achieving an effective defense and of avoiding a dislocation of our economies that wld make the continuation of the necessary effort impossible.
In the second place, American aid should be given to the European community and not separately to the nations which compose it. All plans concerning armament and employment of forces ought to be worked out directly with the European community.
Finally, with respect to France in particular, I feel that I must stress the fact that if our country is to be in a position to make its full contribution to the European Army—something which is essential both for the defense of Europe and for proper balance within the community—there must be a marked lightening of the special burdens arising out of the struggle in the common interest that we are carrying on almost alone in Indochina. All our plans would be seriously compromised if France were not to receive separate assistance because of the sacrifices she has been making for the past five years.
All these questions must be the subject of private conversations between you and the French representatives, in particular Messrs. Bidault and René Mayer, who will be in the United States at the same time as I.
- The source text, a translation prepared by Embassy Paris, was transmitted to Washington in telegram 1225 from Paris, August 26 (740.5/8–2651). This second Schuman reply, according to telegram 1225, was not shown to the British, but Embassy Paris repeated it to London for Gifford and Spofford and to Frankfurt for McCloy.↩