398.10–GDC/8–2851: Telegram
The United States High Commissioner for Germany ( McCloy ) to the Secretary of State 1
1882. Dept personal for Byroade. As chairman of commission, I had long conference with Adenauer Aug 27. Fol matters discussed:
[Here follow the first five numbered paragraphs in which McCloy reported on German external assets, occupation costs, coal, reorganization of federal territory, and the Federal Republic’s treason law.]
[Page 1518]VI. Contractual relations and Eur army.
- (A)
- I outlined Chancellor time-table with ref to contractual relations and Eur army as envisaged Wash and Ottawa mtgs and gave him vague indication of Rome mtg.2 I further indicated doubt as to whether finalized decisions cld be achieved re contractual relations and Ger defense contingent at Wash mtg or Ottawa mtg but expected much cld be prepared between latter and Rome mtg for final action there. I stressed importance of FedRep corraling group of competent experts to cope with substantial work that wld accrue within next two to three months, and particularly importance of having this group headed by person of real substance of Hallstein type.
- (B)
- Re contractual relations, and particularly forthcoming Paris mtg re Eur army,3 I urged Ger delegation shld see how many problems cld be solved rather than raised. I also stressed importance of capitalizing on great impetus which Eur army concept has presently recd from US introduction of Eisenhower into situation and further of his willingness to undertake on temporary basis duties of Defense Min; further, that it wld be to FedRep’s great advantage in eyes of other countries and redound to her benefit in entire contractual relationship negots and contribute much toward her gleichberechtigung if approach was on basis of how much FedRep cld contribute on allover basis rather than effort to see how little it cld contribute and still get away with it. I also referred to Schumacher’s negative approach and recent statement that contractual relations cld not be tied into defense participation. I stressed that we were not trying to buy Ger contingent or indulging in horse trade. Contractual relations and defense participation inseparably interrelated. Gers must recognize validity of this concept.
- (C)
- Chancellor fully agreed, his exact words being “Schumacher crazy; you either get married or you don’t.” Blank going to Paris Sept 2 for negots with Alphand who not leaving for Wash until Sept 6. Blank; being instructed to take as constructive attitude as possible.
- (D)
- Reverting to contractual relations I portrayed to Chancellor growing difficulty of our situation in having unilateral discussions with Chancellor re general agreement; that I saw only growing embarrassment in delaying posting Kirkpatrick and Francois-Poncet in this regard. This situation further accentuated by fact that all three Commissioners wld be in Wash together. Chancellor indicated I shld use my own judgment in matter, consistent with safe-guarding Chancellor’s relationship with Kirkpatrick and Francois-Poncet. I indicated I thought best to post both before their departure for Wash. Chancellor will furnish us Aug 28 new draft proposed general agreement, embodying changes suggested by Hays during his visit to Chancellor in Switz.4 We will give copies to Kirkpatrick and Francois-Poncet immediately.
- (E)
- Chancellor then stated that he took advantage of Aug 22 visit of François-Poncet to Paris to send through him personal letter to Schuman on general subject section VI this cable. Schuman promised Chancellor reply to this letter before Schuman leaves for San Francisco mtg.5 Chancellor will furnish me Aug 28 with memo embodying such features his letter to Schuman as he thinks US shd know. He made clear this was not to be furnished to UK.
- (F)
- Chancellor next gave me memo entitled “preliminary solution of Eur defense community.” Copy being pouched.6 I am furnishing copies to Brit and Fr and will be studied by appropriate members our respective staffs. Primarily, memo contemplates execution overall general agreement covering Eur army with subsequent more detailed treaty, object being proceed with defense contingents including enlistment and the like under agreement without protracted delay incident execution treaty. Will report further on this subject, after requisite study.
[Here follows part seven in which McCloy indicated that he had discussed briefly with Adenauer the Saar, the support of German war veterans for the Federal Government, the Free Democratic Youth Organization, the Socialist Reich Party, and Niemoller’s objections to German defense participation.]
VIII. Kirkpatrick seeing Chancellor Aug 28 so that he can be posted insofar as Chancellor sees fit. At François-Poncet’s request, and with Chancellor’s knowledge, I posted François-Poncet fully on substance today’s mtg. Only observation of importance François-Poncet made was that in his Aug 22 mtg with Chancellor, latter indicated to him that Chancellor completely satisfied with Blank and Heusinger but was developing doubts as to reliability of Speidel. François-Poncet stated in his opinion Speidel is quite politically minded.
IX. General atmosphere of 5-hour mtg with Chancellor was most cordial. Chancellor gave appearance of calm and confidence, and reiterated his assurance that he wld personally guide FedRep through coming 2 to 3 months of important decisions if Allies wld help toward creation atmosphere of pol tranquillity in and toward FedRep.
- Repeated to Paris for Bruce and Eisenhower and London for Gifford and Spofford.↩
- For documentation on the Foreign Ministers meeting at Washington, the NATO Council meetings at Ottawa in September, and at Rome in November, see pp. 1163 ff.↩
- For documentation on the European Army talks (Pleven Plan) at Paris, see pp. 755 ff.↩
- A memorandum of Hays’ conversation with Adenauer at Buergenstock on August 11, not printed, is in file 762A.00/8–1551; for the text of revised draft of the general agreement, see telegram 2026, infra.↩
- For documentation on the meeting at San Francisco to sign the treaty of peace with Japan, see vol. vi, Part 1, pp. 777 ff.↩
- Dated August 25, p. 869.↩