No. 63

850.33/6–2651: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
secret   priority

6181. Re Embtel 6809 Jun 26,2 rptd Paris 2809, Frankfort 1401, Dept believes fact that HICOG and UK Element Ger have opened negots with FedRep (Bonn 996 Jun 26,3 rptd London 289, Paris [Page 127] 338) makes unneces Emb discussions substance scrap problem with FonOff at this time.

We understand FonOff fully informed Bonn negots and MacCready authorized proceed. In these circumstances believe it best if HICOG attempt to drive the best bargain it can without arousing reaction in Ger which wld affect Schuman Plan. Dept and Emb can determine what further steps required upon conclusion Bonn talks.

In the interim Dept believes it wld be useful if Emb asked FonOff in light of discussions under way in Ger to resume Paris discussions with view to completing them. The urgency of completing them and announcing results promptly is indicated in Bonn 999 Jun 26,4 rptd Paris 340, London 290.

Acheson
  1. Drafted by Jacobs and cleared in draft by Vernon, Camp, and S/S. Repeated priority to Paris and Frankfurt.
  2. See footnote 4, supra.
  3. Telegram 996 reported on a 3-hour meeting on June 26 between representatives of the Federal Republic, the United Kingdom, and the United States during which German representatives outlined the “great difficulties” in collecting the amount of scrap desired by the United Kingdom and proposed a reduction in scrap commitments to the United States in order to meet commitments to the United Kingdom. U.K. and U.S. representatives countered with a proposal that, of the first 350,000 tons of scrap collected, 275,000 should be for German use and 75,000 for export and any balance above 350,000 tons should be divided “50–50” between domestic use and export leaving for subsequent agreement between Federal Republic and U.S.–U.K. experts how the entire export total should be allocated between the United States, the United Kingdom, and all other countries. This proposal left the Germans “some-what shocked” and Major General Hays, the U.S. Deputy High Commissioner for Germany requested the Department of State’s “prompt reaction” to the proposal. (850.33/6–2651)
  4. Telegram 999 reported the concern of the officials of the Federal Republic over delay in announcing Allied agreement to the liquidation of the Ruhr Authority and their fear that the Bundesrat might withhold approval of the Schuman Plan until such agreement was announced. (862.19–Ruhr/6–2651)