Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 184: Telegram

The United States Delegation at the Bermuda Conference to the Department of State 1

secret

Secto 4. In talk with Tyler of US delegation Vidal, Laniel’s Director of Cabinet, said Laniel will state flatly there is no chance EDC Treaty can be ratified for several months and then only if greatly increased assurances and commitments given by British and US.2 Vidal said British guarantees proposed so far not sufficient to remove the present grave French doubts. He said Laniel aware American constitutional factors and limitations, but way must be found formulate assurances going beyond intentions and which will suffice, reassure French opinion re danger of eventual US withdrawal leaving France “alone” with Germany.

Vidal implied that Laniel will stress that above is reality of situation and discussion must be based on this reality.

Preliminary conversations indicate a sharp split between the views of Laniel and Bidault with latter less inclined to resign himself to degree of pessimism apparently felt by Laniel. Vidal obviously would tend to reflect views of his chief.

  1. Repeated to London, Paris, and Bonn.
  2. A memorandum of Tyler’s conversation with Germain Vidal on Dec. 3 is in the Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 185.