Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 2

740.5/12–3154: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State ¹

confidential
priority

Paris, December 31, 1954—1 p.m.

2769. Final vote on article I (Embtel 2760²) gave government slightly larger majority than expected. Before result announced after vote deputies with whom we talked generally predicted 10 to 20 vote majority. Shortly before result known, figure of 18 was being circulated and somewhat later 20. There was little unusual delay in announcing outcome though it is understood efforts were made to verify absentee ballots by telephone where possible. Also some uncertainty existed until the end as to final disposition some 70 absentee ballots which could of course have turned tide. However final outcome shows absentee ballots played little role. Widely distributed rumors that considerable number deputies would never commit last action permitting German rearmament likewise proved false and final result of 287–268 very similar to Wednesday night’s 287–256 score. Only two changes were noted in those voting for with one additional Radical voting for government and one less Social Republican. Total of three more Social Republicans voted against government as well as one more Radical and one more ARS and one less MRP. Robert Schuman who abstained in vote last Friday when government was defeated and voted for on Monday and Wednesday of this week abstained yesterday as result agreement with Bidault who also abstained. MRP total of 16 for government remained intact as Ivory Coast Deputy who had previously abstained voted in favor yesterday. Full analysis voting records follows by despatch³ (Deptel 2361⁴).

Responsible pro-American deputies such as Rene Mayer, Bourges-Maunoury and Maurice Faure believe that favorable vote by narrow margin following such extensive bitter oratory is not enough and Maurice Faure and Pierre Courant (Independent) have combined their resolutions (number 2 and number 3 in Embtel 2742⁵) and altered it somewhat to make net effect a resounding reaffirmation of France’s solidarity with West and Atlantic Alliance. However, Loustaunau-Lacau has maintained his resolution (now in partnership with Palewski) and Cayeux (MRP) has put in another on Four-Power talks. As result Daniel Mayer reported to Assembly last night Foreign Affairs Committee had decided by 22–11 vote to postpone discussion of resolutions because of their number, variety and complexity. Something along lines Faure Resolution which still includes mention of WEU arms distribution agency but is more slanted towards Western solidarity generally may come later but grand scheme of strongest supporters of Atlantic Alliance who favored Paris Accords to push through resolution last night beame impossible.

Weary Assembly will continue budget discussions today after having already begun examination national defense budget last night. Budget debates are late as result prolongation debate Paris agreements.

Press reports Council of Republic has already appointed four rapporteurs for Paris Accords:

1) Michel Debre (RPF) for WEU.

2) Marius Mouter (Socialist) for cessation occupation statute.

3) Rene Pinton (Radical Socialist) for Saar.

4) Jacques Maupeou (Independent) for military aspects protocols and conventions.

Press adds these rapporteurs are all favorable and that Senate situation looks bright though Embassy will commence checking this with its Council of Republic contacts next week. Press finally predicts Council may begin its action in late January or early February though we think anything more than guess on this not possible at this early date.

Other principal development as backwash Assembly debate is announcement today that sanctions previously envisaged after EDC debate but suspended have now been taken against seventeen Socialist Deputies who voted consistently against agreements in all four votes. These include Naegelen and Max Lejeune (complete list will follow). Sanctions mean these deputies cannot represent party on assembly committees or party delegations.

Atmosphere following debate is one of relief and considerable resignation and sobriety rather than elation. It is too early to tell overall effect on position Mendes-France. Preliminary guess judging from corridor consultation with many deputies would be his stock has not risen and result debate has if anything increased personal bitterness towards him. Parliamentary correspondents were predicting yesterday his fall during last week January but this is probably hasty guess and certainly requires careful analysis.

Dillon

1. Repeated to London and Bonn.
2. Not printed; it informed the Department of State that the French National Assembly voted 287–260 in favor of a resolution giving the government a vote of confidence on article I of the Billotte report. This vote completed Assembly action on the Paris Agreements (740.5/12–3054).
3. Presumably a reference to despatch 1410 from Paris, Jan. 11, 1955, which analyzed the voting records of the French Deputies during the ratification debates (740.5/1–1155).
4. Not printed; it requested the names of the French Deputies in the National Assembly who switched votes (740.5/12–3054).
5. Not printed; it reported inter alia on three resolutions pertaining to the Paris Agreements which would be discussed in the Assembly after the vote on article 1 of the Billotte report. (740.5/12–3054)