740.5/9–2354: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Alger) to the Department of State 1
309. In conversation this morning Spaak gave me following as his current thoughts.
Thing he least able understand is why Mendes-France returned from Brussels describing self as defeated when he could have claimed success, which Spaak believes would have enabled him put through EDC.
Embassy comment: Spaak continues preoccupied with Mendes-France claim others ganged up in Brussels under Spaak leadership; also obvious Spaak endeavoring formulate personal estimate Mendes-France for use as measuring stick in future.
Spaak went on to say he cannot bring self believe Mendes so evil as to be insincere in protestations devotion to Atlantic pact. Believed Mendes when he told him he is now prepared accept idea of German admission NATO if adequate safeguards within Brussels pact devised. Believes Mendes does not plan failure London talks. However, Spaak believes that Mendes would be in mood adopt neutralism if London fails, saying he had failed with five in Brussels, then with UK and US at London, France is thus alone, not understood by friends and allies, nothing positive left to do.
Spaak remarked that number French parliamentarians agree on opposing Mendes-France but not on anything positive. Also Mendes-France is not opposed by French public which is factor which will make parliamentarians hesitate overthrow him. Pro-EDC French leaders he observed especially at Strasbourg are discouraged and disorganized and at great disadvantage vis-à-vis Mendes-France who being in power knows all factors some of which they do not. Spaak described Mendes-France’s Strasbourg speech as veto very clever.
Re possible success London Spaak sees three problems for Germans: Sovereignty, discriminatory provisions and Saar. For UK there will be terribly difficult question of new commitments on continent. Spaak is not sure Adenauer now prepared settle Saar yet this appears continue condition precedent for France.
Spaak believes simultaneity of following must be achieved: German sovereignty, German admission NATO and rearranged Brussels pact.
[Page 1245]Spaak said Dutch regard French control proposal unfavorably. Presumably all Dutch and Belgian effort would be controlled as well as German, yet France would retain measure freedom.
Spaak sees extremely difficult technical problems arising out of control proposal: UK would be controller, France would be controller and partly controlled, etc. One curiosity is that proposed controls would in effect put maximum limit on number British troops sent continent. Worried that even if agreement reached in principle negotiations will be difficult and plans can fail because of technicalities.
Spaak plans go The Hague September 25, London 27 and hopes sail for New York October 15.
- Repeated to Paris, London, Bonn, Rome, The Hague, Luxembourg, and Ottawa.↩