740.5/12–2854: Telegram
The United States High Commissioner for Germany (Conant) to the Department of State 1
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1861. We saw Blankenhorn this morning who told us that the Chancellor would call a Cabinet meeting immediately after an unfavorable vote in the French Assembly. While Blankenhorn was cautiously optimistic over Mendes-France’s chances tomorrow, he was nevertheless apprehensive over the next step to be taken in the event of an adverse vote. He reiterated what he considered were the necessary steps to be taken in the event of failure; namely (1) a joint US–UK declaration regarding German sovereignty, (2) a joint US–UK guarantee of Fed-Rep territory, (3) provision for maintenance of US–UK troops [Page 1530] on Fed-Rep soil as defense forces, (4) the necessity to go ahead with the Western European Treaty arrangement, leaving an empty chair.
He stressed the danger for Adenauer in terms of his domestic situation which would result from a second failure of Adenauer’s foreign policy. On the other hand, he believed that whatever gesture was made by Adenauer or the German Government as a result of the French Assembly’s adverse decision should not be directed against France and that every effort should be made to keep a conciliatory atmosphere.
Blankenhorn also raised the question of how the Chancellor could get together with US and the British in the event of bad news. We suggested the possibility of talks with the Secretary and Eden. Blankenhorn said that he had thought of such an idea and that the Benelux countries might be included in such talks. On balance, however, he favored talks with Mr. Dulles and Eden and would leave it to US as to how best to proceed when and if it was decided to hold such a meeting.
- Repeated to Paris and London.↩