Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 1

740.5/1–352: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret

Washington , January 4, 1952—7:09 p.m.

3844. For Bruce from Secy. Have studied ur 3957 and 3958² and Schuman’s request of postponement Lisbon mtg. Tell Schuman that I recd his msg ³ and fully understand situation in which he finds himself. As I clearly indicated in my press conference today, will do best we can to be of assistance. Suggested, however, that date not be announced until it is clearer that results can be achieved on Feb 9. We are so informing Pearson.⁴

Eager to know when Pleven and Schuman plan to go to Brussels and Hague and when they plan to have next EDC Ministerial mtg which shld be the earlier date if at all possible.

Assume Schuman aware Portuguese inability to handle mtg after Feb 16⁵ and our Congressional problem if delayed beyond 9th.

Will talk to Van Roijen and Silvercruys along lines you suggest.⁶ Sending Murphy back to Brussels soonest by way of Paris.⁷ Chapin remaining here for Drees visit the middle this month.⁸ Also preparing cables to Brussels and Hague along gen lines you proposed we take up with Ambs here.

We are concerned that Brit may not be informed true nature recent Mins mtg in Paris on EDF. If you feel their local reps were not in position to obtain type of info you reported here it might be wise in your discretion, for you to furnish Harvey with substance of 3957.

Acheson

1. This telegram was repeated to Bonn, Rome, The Hague, and Brussels. It was drafted by Perkins (EUR) and Byroade (GER) and was cleared with Secretary Acheson; Perkins signed for the Secretary. A memorandum of Jan. 4 from Barnes (S/S) to Perkins indicates that this telegram was drafted at the request of the Secretary. (CFM files, lot M 88, box 161, “London, Misc”)
2. Telegram 3958, Jan. 3, from Paris, is printed on p. 572. Telegram 3957 from Paris is not printed here, but see footnote 2, ibid .
3. The reference is to Schuman’s letter of Jan. 2, supra.
4. Acheson discussed the proposed one-week postponement of the North Atlantic Council session with Snyder, Lovett, and Harriman on Jan. 4. All agreed to the postponement and that it would be wise to find a new date from which the session would not again have to be postponed. (Memorandum by Acheson, Jan. 4, 1952; 740.5/1–452) After exchanges among the NATO nations, the Council Deputies agreed on Jan. 14 to set Feb. 16 as the definitive date of the forthcoming Council session. (Telegram Depto 813, Jan. 14, from London; 740.5/1–1452)
5. Telegram Depto 763, Jan. 3, 1952, from London, reported a Portuguese statement that postponement of the North Atlantic Council session would seriously inconvenience them since they had requisitioned all the principal Lisbon hotels and a considerable portion of the local university. The Portuguese authorities were in favor of such postponements, despite the inconvenience, if there were improved prospects for achieving concrete decisions at the session. (740.5/1–352)
6. Regarding Acheson’s meetings with Ambassadors Van Roijen and Silvercruys on Jan. 10, see telegrams 904 to The Hague and 1023 to Brussels, both Jan. 11, pp. 580 and 582.
7. Ambassador Murphy, who had been in the United States on leave since October 1951, returned to Brussels and resumed charge of the Embassy on Jan. 14.
8. Ambassador Chapin had been in the United States on leave since late November 1951. He resumed charge of the Embassy in The Hague on Feb. 1. Regarding the visit of Netherlands Prime Minister Drees to the United States in January 1952, see Acheson’s memorandum of conversation with Drees on Jan. 21, p. 589.