762A.5/12–1951: Telegram

The United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy) to the Secretary of State 1

secret

801. To facilitate tripartite discussion in Paris on security controls, I discussed subj with Chancellor this afternoon. I explained our conversation [Page 1740] was purely exploratory for purpose of assisting in formulation of Amer position in tripartite meetings.

Inasmuch as his proposal to regulate production of war material thru EDC had not apparently been acceptable to all members, our task now was to find solution which Ger cld itself propose with dignity and which at the same time cld reassure public opinion throughout the world. I suggested that these ends might be achieved thru Ger undertaking by which Ger wld in light of existing condition voluntarily agree to prohibit by Ger law production of such categories of armaments as atomic, biological and chemical weapons, long range and guided missiles, aircraft (civil and milit) and certain naval craft. Furthermore, Ger wld undertake to limit production in other armament fields to those allocated by Eur def commissioner for production within Ger (this wld take care of limitations on heavy weapons desired by Fr). To insure adequate control, Allied laws in these fields wld remain in effect until appropriate Ger laws cld be substituted. At same time, Allies wld agree to amend their existing legislation so as to take care of Eur def production and to turn over implementation of such legislation to Gers, thus abolishing MSB.

Chancellor recognized need for some such action but again emphasized impossibility of accepting any system which implied discrimination against Ger. He still has hopes of bringing about general agreement within framework of EDC and said Ger del in Paris was presenting a proposal which wld give Eur def commissioner auth allocate armaments production and wld prohibit any additional production of armaments without express auth of EDC. Control of these provisions wld be placed under SHAPE. If such proposal not acceptable, he agreed to consider the possibility of undertaking along lines which I had outlined, provided Ger and Ger scientists wld be allowed participate in atomic research in other countries and construction of civil aircraft permitted. He stressed the importance of not excluding Ger from scientific research of this character as this wld hamper Ger’s econ development. He felt it wld be impossible to explain to Ger public opinion and to Bundestag why Ger wld be allocated 1700 planes in Eur army and yet not permitted to manufacture any civil aircraft. He was prepared to agree that cost of manufacturing aircraft wld probably prevent Ger from engaging in this production but thought prohibition on manufacture wld be polit impossible.

Provided these conditions can be met, Chancellor seemed prepared to accept undertaking to pass whatever Ger legis wld be necessary to maintain effective controls in Ger.

Blankenhorn added subsequently in private conversation that if EDC solution not acceptable, he felt Ger undertaking cld be made which wld stress necessity for special limitations on armaments production [Page 1741] in Ger because of its strategic position in Eur and threat of outside aggression.

In view of Chancellor’s apparant willingness to move in this direction, I feel it is important promptly to arrive at common Allied position in order that we may close the discussions. I consider Chancellor’s two conditions not unreasonable in light of polit situation here and urge they be given careful consideration. Gen Hays, who participated in this conversation is leaving Thurs evening for Paris for consultation with Bruce and UK and Fr reps.

McCloy
  1. Repeated to Paris and London.