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

740.5/2–1353: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret

Washington, February 13, 1953—3:04 a.m.

4397. Dept will comment later on substance French EDC protocols after study.²

Meanwhile feeling here is that we should do everything possible to take advantage of stimulus which the Secretary gave to EDC during his recent trip³ and particularly to encourage early ratification (or at least parliamentary action by lower chambers) in Benelux and Italy. Following is our appraisal of situation and suggested course of action:

1. Present difficulty is that each of six EDC countries is waiting for others to ratify first. Responsibility for failure to act is widely diffused with no country in fact feeling any individual responsibility. Uncertainty over negotiation on French protocols is a major cause for this hesitation. Problem is to break “vicious circle” of inaction by instilling in certain EDC governments a real desire to push ahead with ratification and to do so in spite of French protocols.

2. Tentative conclusion here is that best solution is to persuade Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Italy to form united front, determined to push ahead with ratification. To do so would focus responsibility on both France and Germany. France has very difficult parliamentary problem but if other countries ratify, French parliament would think very carefully before bearing full responsibility for failure of EDC with all consequences of such failure. Same considerations might apply to German constitutional court, which might find itself in unenviable position of small group of men holding up final action on a project which had been approved by four other countries.

3. There are various factors favorable to success of joint “four country” action by Benelux and Italy. First, countries themselves seem to be thinking along these lines. Netherlands Government has suggested to Second Chamber that it go ahead with Committee consideration without awaiting conclusion French protocol negotiations. Italian Government is proceeding with EDC consideration in Chamber of Deputies in line with De Gasperi’s statement to Secretary Dulles that he would seek immediate ratification. Furthermore, Italian EDC representative has already informed French of his government’s intention proceed with ratification prior to completion protocol negotiations. This done on instructions from Rome. Finally, Van Zeeland in discussing EDC before Chamber Feb. 11 urged prompt parliamentary action, adding protocol negotiations should not delay study project. Furthermore, during Secretary’s Feb 8 meeting with Bech and Dupong in Luxembourg, Secretary pointed out importance of other EDC countries going ahead with ratification as means focusing responsibility on France and Germany. Bech was impressed by idea. He said ministerial committee of 6 EDC countries meets in Rome Feb 24 and he had in mind seeking agreement of Dutch and Belgian Ministers that 3 Benelux countries would proceed immediately toward getting favorable vote on EDC ratification at least in their lower chambers of parliament. If Italy could also move it would be extremely helpful. Bech added that if French Government or some prominent member of French Cabinet would suggest to him that immediate steps toward ratification would help French, it would assist Bech. He said he was seeing Robert Schuman in a few days and would talk to him privately about this possibility. On whole we do not believe Bech will succeed in obtaining informal favorable expression opinion from responsible French Government source. French leaders favoring EDC might be moved by pride while opponents would be averse at forcing French hand. Therefore, we should seek to influence Bech toward above action with his Dutch and Belgian colleagues regardless his desire have French suggest immediate steps toward ratification.

4. If, as Bech has suggested, 3 Benelux countries and also Italy could agree to push EDC at least through their lower houses in next several weeks it would be encouraging evidence that EDC is again moving forward toward successful conclusion. Such action would have a number of advantages. It would tend to limit area of discussion of protocols, would also deter French from submitting further protocols, which Alphand indicated would be a possibility (which Jules Moch might try to stimulate) and would have excellent impact on US public opinion.

5. We are not in a position to know whether Belgium and Holland will go along with Bech’s suggestion, but we believe it should be supported. US Diplomatic missions in The Hague, Brussels, Luxembourg and Rome take special steps to stress importance of early action and report results. Ambassador Dunn in his capacity as US Observer to EDC Interim Committee if he judges it wise could discuss Bech’s suggestion with De Staercke and Starkenborgh, both of whom indicated to Secretary’s party during recent trip conviction that early action by some of smaller EDC countries and Italy would have a great effect in giving new momentum to EDC.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Fessenden and MacArthur. Cleared with Secretary Dulles, Bonbright, Hay, Moore, Byington, and Knight. Initialed for the Secretary by MacArthur. Sent also to The Hague, Brussels, Rome, London, Bonn, and Luxembourg.
2. See telegram 4481 to Paris, Feb. 18, p. 734.
3. Regarding the Dulles–Stassen trip to Europe, see pp. 1548 ff.