740.5/8–1654: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
589. Ambassador Bonnet called on Acting Secretary August 16 to transmit Mendes-France’s expressed hope U.S. would support his proposals for modification EDC Treaty at Brussels with other five countries. Ambassador went on to say Mendes-France had communicated his fear there was a misunderstanding arising from his conversations last week with Dillon regarding his attitude on negotiating with Soviets between first and second French vote on EDC ratification. Ambassador said Premier was anxious we recognize: (a) Mendes-France’s dedication to integration of Germany with West economically, politically and militarily; (b) fact he was not in favor four-power conference unless Soviets gave some indication intent negotiate seriously; (c) he did not desire nor intend delay on EDC ratification; and (d) his own estimate, his personal official prestige and political strength in France was lower than Secretary’s estimate.
Ambassador went on to argue Mendes-France’s proposals represented only possible solution capable obtaining majority in French Assembly.
[Page 1044]Acting Secretary referred to past conversation with Mendes-France in which latter promised to press for ratification but on basis no renegotiation of Treaty. He pointed out present proposals obviously required renegotiation and that in fact they substantially destroy EDC’s supranational character as well as inject serious element discrimination against Germany,
Acting Secretary went on point out that making first French ratification vote in effect provisional pending effort negotiate with Soviets offered Molotov opportunity for which he had long been looking. He stated there was no reason suppose Soviets had altered their basic insistence on neutralization Germany as price its unity and that if this constituted in Mendes-France’s mind an alternative to EDC then we were headed for ultimate disaster of a Germany which could not be kept neutralized and which would not be aligned with the West.
In conclusion Acting Secretary said U.S. could not accept nor support present Mendes-France proposals here or at Brussels. He added he saw nothing in our study so far which could lead him recommend to the Secretary on his return a departure from this position.
French Ambassador argued at length but unconvincingly and left impression answer which he had received was far from unexpected.
- Drafted by Merchant, and initialed for the Acting Secretary by Murphy. Repeated to London, Bonn, Brussels, The Hague, and Rome.↩