850.33/3–1551: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands 1
1055. Re Paris tel 5439, Mar 15, rptd info London 1313, Rome 374, The Hague 160, Brussels 249, Frankfort 652, Luxembourg unnumbered; and Paris tel 5441, Mar 15,2 rptd info London 1315, [Page 104] Frankfort 654, Rome 376, Brussels 251, The Hague 162, Luxembourg unnumbered.
1. Dept and ECA understand last remaining difficulties re Ger deconcentration program which had previously constituted hurdle to Ger initialing of Schuman Plan are now settled, and that mtg Ministers to settle remaining issues and sign may be set for next week.
2. Dept requests heads of missions convey to FonMins US conviction that signing of Plan in immed future is of utmost importance. US hopes govts concerned will find it possible surmount few remaining difficulties and contribute to our common political objectives by concluding negots next few days. We believe early conclusion of Plan will have profound effect on public opinion both in Eur and US and that failure at this stage wld result in severe setback to Western cooperation.
3. In US view, Western Eur can only be strong if sources of longstanding tensions between Ger and its neighbors are eliminated, Schuman Plan holds promise of far-reaching results in that direction. Questions of immed advantages or disadvantages accruing to individual countries as result institution Plan wld appear be insignificant by comparison with this major consideration. Moreover, dramatic evidence Western World solidarity and stronger Ger ties to West at this time wld strengthen position in dealing with USSR in possible 4-power conference.
4. In addition, strains created by recent necessary reimposition Ger trade restrictions make it particularly desirable to have reaffirmation at this time Ger desire cooperate closely with West.
5. ECA concurs.
6. Pls report reaction Govt to Washington, rpt to Paris and Frankfort.3
- Drafted by Vernon of the Commercial Policy Staff and cleared with Bonbright, Byroade, and ECA. Also sent niact to Luxembourg, Brussels, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, and London.↩
- Telegram 5439 reported, inter alia, that Monnet had called a meeting of the heads of delegations for the evening of March 15 with the intention of having the Schuman Plan conference initial the treaty. Telegram 5441 enumerated the subjects which had been reserved for consideration by the delegation heads prior to the signature of the treaty. Both telegrams are in file 850.33/3–1551.↩
- In telegram 5501 from Paris, March 17, Ambassador Bruce reported that, in agreement with the chiefs of mission at Rome, Brussels, The Hague, and Luxembourg, he had communicated the contents of this telegram to the heads of delegations from Italy, Belgium, France, and Great Britain. (850.33/3–1751) In telegram 1296 from The Hague, March 18, Ambassador Chapin reported that he had seen Dutch Foreign Minister and OEEC Secretary-General Dirk Stikker and had relayed the contents of telegram 1055 to him in the form of an aide-mémoire. (850.33/3–1851)↩