762.00/5–3151: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

secret

6594. Re Dept’s A–1755 May 1,2 London’s tel 5998 May 173 and urtel 7404 May 31.4 We have been disturbed by recent series of events re Saar which has again catapulted problem into forefront of Ger domestic polit picture. We consider Schuman–Hoffman ltr5 and Saar Govt action to ban Saar Democratic Party as precisely the types of measures we wld hope cld be avoided, as suggested para 3 our A–1755. As stated that airgram success of Ger Fed Govt in furthering long range goals of Franco-Ger rapprochement and effective European assoc depends in part on its ability to prevent Saar from becoming major domestic issue. Although Bundestag debate on Saar6 seems to have gone reasonably well under circumstances, there is no doubt but that Fr and Saar Govt actions made Adenauer’s position much more difficult and tended to undermine effectiveness of his support for rapid Schuman Plan ratification by Bundestag, an objective of primary importance not only to Fr and Ger Govts but to US Govt as well.

[Page 1973]

If you have not yet discussed substance Dept’s A–1755 with FonOff it wld seem appropriate for you to mention these recent events as examples of action we wld hope Fr Govt wld seek to avoid. You may express Dept’s concern with possible effects of such precipitate moves on long range European objectives which we fully share with Fr Govt. In gen, we are inclined to agree with Monnet’s views as reported last para urtel 7404 and fear that further actions of this nature will only give aid and comfort to extremist and nationalist elements in Ger and alienate the more moderate elements supporting our common goals in Europe. If you have already discussed Dept’s A–1755 with FonOff suggest that conversation might be appropriate point of departure for presenting above views, which wld lend force and substance to earlier points.

Pls report results your discussions with FonOff.

Acheson
  1. Repeated to London, Frankfurt, Bonn, and Strasbourg.
  2. Ante, p. 1970.
  3. Not printed, but see footnote 6, p. 1971.
  4. Not printed; it reported the views of various French Foreign Ministry officials who felt that the question of the Saar had blown over and, it presented the contrasting view of Jean Monnet “who was very disturbed by what he termed ‘dangerous situation’” created by the banning of the Saar Democratic Party on May 21. (762A.00A/5–3151)
  5. For the text of Schuman’s letter of May 9 to Johannes Hoffman, Minister-President of the Saar, which stated that France was disturbed by the activities of the Saar Democratic Party, see Folliot, Documents on International Affairs, 1951, pp. 243244.
  6. The West German Bundestag had debated the question of the Saar for 6 hours on May 30 in an atmosphere which the Liaison Division of HICOG had described as “surprisingly temperate”. (Telegram 897, May 31, from Bonn, not printed, 762A.00/5–3151)