740.5/5–2052: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dunn) to the Department of State 1
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7169. Late last evening Maurice Schumann informed me that discussion of EDC in restricted French Cabinet mtg yesterday had not gone well at all. Pleven was only Minister giving Robert Schuman real support. There was considerable sentiment for postponing signature of EDC treaty and contractual agreements. It was decided to take question to full Cabinet mtg on Wed. Until then Schuman is not authorized to sign.
Schuman and Pleven had a particularly difficult time on question of assistance France was receiving from other NATO nations to carry out effort in Indochina and at same time to be in a position to contribute defense production and forces in Europe. Cabinet wished to postpone beginning German production until size of cutbacks of present French production program were known.
Maurice Schumann said he believed Cabinet after very difficult discussion wld give Schuman authority to sign but he cld not be certain until Wed. One thing I found disturbing in his account was apparent extent to which Pinay and other Cabinet members considered EDC as complicating factor in domestic program. We hear from various sources that Schuman is having difficult time in Cabinet allegedly for following “too liberal” policy in Tunis. Believe it more probable that opposition to him arises primarily from his views on EDC and Ger problem as whole with Tunis merely an excuse.
- Repeated to London and Bonn.↩