740.5/8–1854: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Alger) to the Department of State 1
128. 1. Spaak and De Staercke reviewed with Bruce and Tomlinson today at lunch their tentative views on procedure to be followed at conference.2 Mendes France would be asked to speak first. In accordance [Page 1048] conversation with French Ambassador at Brussels, Spaak expects Mendes to attempt to defend proposals as being within framework of treaty and as not requiring new Parliamentary action in other EDC countries. Tentative procedural plan is that Spaak would then call on Beyen to speak. (Chancellor had proposed this in order to avoid putting Germany in lead position in refusing French proposals and in conversation with Beyen in The Hague last night he agreed to do this.) After other Ministers had expressed views, Spaak as chairman would conclude. Purpose of first session would be to make clear two points.
- (a)
- Under no circumstances can other EDC nations agree to any suggestions which would even risk new Parliamentary action in their countries.
- (b)
- French proposals involve such risk and therefore suggested French protocol cannot be accepted even as a basis for discussion.
- Spaak would then ask for recess to see if some other basis of discussion might be found.
2. Spaak reviewed a paper he had hurriedly drafted early this morning that he might bring forward at second session. He stated that any form of protocol is out of question because a protocol would require new action in Parliaments. He suggests a draft declaration by the six governments. This draft recalls that France initiated the EDC, that France had obtained a number of interpretative protocols after signature, that France had obtained agreement of partners to a certain number of prior conditions, that France still faced difficulties in ratification and this was reason EDC countries were meeting at Brussels. Draft declaration then takes up nine points in French document stating that six governments agree to call a conference as soon as EDC treaty goes into effect in order to have Council of Ministers put these suggestions into force within 1 month. We made a few observations on certain suggestions in light of comments made to us at Bonn and at The Hague. De Staercke promised to have consultations with Dutch and German legal experts. He promised us copy of declaration as soon as Spaak is satisfied with it. Spaak’s suggested declaration is in line with ideas of Dutch and Germans to do everything reasonable for Mendes within framework of treaty.
3. Spaak is meeting with Mendes this afternoon and probably later with Chancellor and Mendes because Chancellor does not wish to see Mendes alone. Spaak believes it will be most unfortunate if Mendes raises question of Saar and Moselle Canal with Chancellor at this stage, particularly when Mendes proposal on Article 38 does away with basis of Saar agreement. Spaak repeatedly expressed his irritation with British statements that Mendes document did not appear to be in conflict with EDC treaty and that it could be used as basis for discussion.