Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

611.00/4–354

No. 630
Memorandum by the Special Assistant to the Secretary of State (Hanes) to the Secretary of State

top secret

Washington, April 3, 1954.

• Subject: Summary of Paris Cable 3623¹—distribution only to Secretary, General Smith, Murphy, MacArthur, Merchant.

In this cable Ambassador Dillon reaffirms his conclusion of last summer that French confidence in American leadership has continued to decline ever since the beginning of 1953. He states the time has come to supplement the routine Embassy despatches concerning the rising tide of French concern over “McCarthyism” with this summary.

He summarizes the opinion in 4 areas of public comment as follows:

1. Paris Press

Until recently, friendly French press spoke of McCarthy as representing the lunatic fringe in America. These same papers are now saying that perhaps 50% of Americans favor McCarthy’s ends and methods. “McCarthyism” is presently the No. 1 American story in the French press. Even the friendly press is using such headlines as “McCarthy Dominates American Political Scene— Prestige of Wisconsin Senator grows constantly before weakness of President of U.S.—Press now treats both men as equals”. “Eisenhower—Another Hindenburg.” Anti-American and neutralist press is playing the theme that Washington is “just as bad as Moscow.” The communist propaganda is equating this specifically American phenomenon with the neo-Nazi threat.

2. French Government and Anti-Communist Action

The Embassy has had countless personal inquiries from French officials concerning the real strength of McCarthy in the U.S. and the prospects of the Administration being able to control him.

High placed government officials are saying that popular reaction to “McCarthyism” is making anti-communist measures increasingly difficult for the French Government to take.

3. Business Community

Many pro-American businessmen are stating they find it increasingly difficult to maintain and defend their pro-American sentiments before unfriendly criticisms; and other friendly businessmen are now saying they do not desire to go to the U.S. “even if I could get a visa” for fear of receiving rude criticism and perhaps being under suspicion. Some friendly Jewish businessmen are convinced that “McCarthyism” is fascism which will inevitably lead to anti-Semitism.

4. Friendly Intellectuals

The Ambassador cites several examples (which he states are typical and almost universal throughout France) of comments by leading friendly intellectuals, deploring and expressing the greatest fear of this phenomenon. “There is nothing new in McCarthyism except the fact that this time it is happening to you Americans.” “President Eisenhower has gone down in estimation of many of my friends because he takes no action. Why doesn’t he do something? Doesn’t he realize what is happening? Doesn’t he remember Italy and Germany?”

Conclusions:

1. The United States, since the war, has been the hope of non-communist Frenchmen as their ultimate protector against totalitarian communism from the East. To the extent that they have lost faith in us as the symbol of freedom and tolerance, Frenchmen tend to start looking elsewhere for the protection of their national security. “Elsewhere” is the east, which means a neutralist search for “re-insurance”.

2. American prestige in France, and particularly in influential non-communist intellectual circles, has dropped to the lowest point we can remember. To this extent, the Embassy’s task of keeping France a strong, healthy and willing ally is increasingly difficult.

3. Despite this serious decline, French public opinion has not accepted and never will accept Senator McCarthy’s apparent idea of America, but is eager to accept the lead of President Eisenhower’s America. Our prestige in France is directly related to the success of the Administration in dealing with and defeating what are regarded in France as the forces of totalitarianism.

4. The French and French public opinion react instantly and enthusiastically to every evidence of “McCarthyism” being successfully countered, exposed and controlled in America.

JWH

1. This telegram informed the Department of State of Dillon’s personal evaluation of the deterioration of American prestige in France which he noted after his return to France following 3 months of absence due to illness. (711.00/3–3154)