Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 2

110.11 DU/5–254: Telegram

No. 680
The Secretary of State to the Department of State¹

secret

Geneva, May 2, 1954—10 p.m.

Dulte 44. Blankenhorn, who stated he [was] in Switzerland for “meeting of a Christian Democratic interparliamentary group” asked to see MacArthur this evening. He said he called at Chancellor’s request regarding Saar. He made quite impassioned statement (in typical Blankenhorn fashion) saying as result of total lack of action on EDC and Saar during past six months, Chancellor’s internal position in Germany daily becoming more difficult and that he “had his back to the wall”. Last parliamentary debate on foreign affairs had been extremely difficult and Chancellor had only held coalition together by telling FDP ministers that if they would not support his European and Saar policies they should resign. He said Chancellor deeply concerned over rising tide of nationalism in Germany which stemmed from fact that no real progress had been possible over last few months on Chancellor’s European policy because of French obstruction and delay.

He then gave MacArthur a paper (which he said Chancellor had worked out yesterday with Hallstein) which represented ultimate extent to which Germany could go on Saar. Hallstein would give paper to Maurice Schumann tomorrow as German position on Saar.² Subsequently Hallstein would see Dillon and also give him copy explaining German position. Also copy would be given to Dowling in Bonn tomorrow. MacArthur said he obviously could not comment on paper. He told Blankenhorn we believe that Laniel and Bidault both are determined to do their best to put EDC through. The one stumbling block is Saar. MacArthur recalled Secretary’s talk with Adenauer at Bonn airport on February 18³ and said we counting on Adenauer’s statemanship to go to utmost limit to reach Saar settlement. If there is no Saar agreement, EDC will fall through. It would be great tragedy for Germany, Europe, and indeed US, but one which US would have to face up to if Europe could not get together. US has done its utmost and we are counting on Germans to do same. Blankenhorn reiterated Chancellor’s great difficulties in face of rising German nationalism; mentioned that there were four elections in Germany this year which would go very badly for Adenauer and moderate elements in Germany if they went beyond position set forth in paper; said it was imperative that Saar be tied to European political community; and that Saar agreement must be subject to terms of final peace treaty or settlement in lieu thereon.

Following is “rough English translation” handed MacArthur by Blankenhorn:⁴

Begin verbatim text:

Saar statute shall be based upon proposal of general affairs commission of Consultative Assembly of Council of Europe.

1. Saar shall become European territory when European political community comes into existence, subject to terms of peace treaty or settlement in lieu thereof. It shall become seat of chief European institutions.

2. European powers in Saar shall be vested in competent institutions of European political community. Statute can be amended only in accordance with constitution of community.

3. Saar institutions are competent in every sphere insofar as is not otherwise provided.

4. German culture and German language of Saar population shall be maintained in every way. A new European statute shall be provided for Saar University.

5. Economic questions shall be settled in conformity with proposals of general affairs commission of Consultative Assembly of Council of Europe.

Measures necessary for this purpose concerning relationship between Federal Republic and Saar shall be implemented by stages and as rapidly as is compatible with economic conditions.

In this connection provision shall be made to ensure that settlement does not lead to grave threat to French balance of payments and that it does not lead to abuse in respect of German-French trade. Furthermore, provision shall be made by means of transitional regulations to ensure that disturbances of Saar economy are avoided.

6. European convention for safeguarding of human rights and basic freedoms shall apply in Saar without any restriction.

Licensing of political parties, associations, press products, and public meetings shall be abolished.

7. Statute shall be subject to free referendum in Saar under European control.

8. In event of statute being approved in referendum, new Saar parliament shall be freely elected.

9. Following shall apply as interim settlement:

Pending establishment of European political community European commissioner shall be responsible for safeguarding of interests of Saar in sphere of foreign policy and of defense. He shall also ensure execution of, and compliance with, Saar statute. He shall be member of High Authority of Coal and Steel community and shall be responsible to that community’s common assembly. He shall sit on committee of ministers of Council of Europe in advisory capacity.

Dulles

1. Repeated to Paris and Bonn.
2. For a report on Hallstein’s meeting with Schumann on May 3, see telegram 4192, infra.
3. For a memorandum of this conversation, see Document 527.
4. The German text of this paper, as handed to Schumann on May 3, was transmitted as an enclosure to despatch 2795 from Paris, May 4. (762.022/5–454)