762A.00/4–2651: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfurt1

secret

7228. This is State–Defense cable. Urtels 732, Apr 12 from Bonn2 and 8341 Apr 14 from Fkft.3 Re Adenauer’s request last paragraph his letter, our view is that suitable channels for obtaining such info as may be given shld remain within existing governmental channels from High Commissioners to NATO Standing Group. Standing Group wld make any necessary inquiries of SACEUR. The Standing Group answer wld be transmitted back through govts to High Commissioners for Adenauer. If you agree, suggest this be discussed with your Brit and Fr colleagues and that Adenauer’s specific comments be transmitted to the High Commissioners with the request for appropriate NATO action (i.e. consideration by Standing Group).

Although above procedure may appear unduly complicated, we believe it most important that orthodox channels be adhered to and that no official pressure be brought to bear on Eisenhower to officially answer a direct request by the FedRep.

We propose to handle request in last para Adenauer’s letter in accordance above procedure and Bradley will introduce in Standing Grp.

Although, we appreciate points made by Adenauer in earlier para his letter and his anxiety for more sweeping assurances re Allied action to bolster defense of Fed Rep, believe we can at this time do little more than establish channel suggested in preceding para and furnish his mil experts such info as SHAPE is able to provide.

Appreciate ur views.4

Acheson
  1. This telegram was drafted by Calhoun; cleared by Knight, Lewis, and the Department of Defense; and repeated to Bonn, Paris, and London.
  2. Ante, p. 1470.
  3. Not printed; it reported that the texts of Adenauer’s letters to Kirkpatrick and McCloy were identical. (762A.0221/4–1451)
  4. On May 8 McCloy reported that he had discussed this procedure with the British and French who had offered no objection but had stated that they would refer the matter to their Governments and advise McCloy when they had received further notice. (Telegram 8944 from Frankfurt, May 8, 762A.00/5–851)