Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Western European Security and Integration, Volume IV

45. Message From the Secretary of State to the President¹

Paris, December 11, 1956.

Dear Mr. President: We have finished our first NATO day. This morning there were speeches by Lange, myself, Lloyd, Pineau in that order.² Then this afternoon Spaak and Menderes of Turkey made the principal speeches.

I think my remarks covering nearly an hour went over quite well. I tried to pass over lightly specific reference to the British and French adventure and praised them for accepting the UN recommendations as to withdrawal. Both Lloyd and Pineau made what I thought were rather feeble defenses of their action, which Lange had rather openly attacked. Also he raised the issue of colonialism. Spaak came to the defense of the British, French and colonial powers. However, so far there are no serious fireworks and there is every evidence ranks will be closed. However, one general sentiment which I gained from practically all of the delegations was the feeling that the United Nations was failing and that it had gotten into the hand of new countries without the sense of political responsibility. I sensed a tendency to want to try to build up NATO as a rival to the United Nations. My own statement included quite a strong defense of the United Nations.

Following the afternoon session³ we had a meeting here of Lloyd, Macmillan and Head, the new Defense Minister, together with George Humphrey, Charlie Wilson and myself.⁴ The British say very emphatically that they must cut their four divisions in Germany of 18,000 men each to about 10,000 men each and get from Germany the foreign exchange costs. They are lunching with the Germans tomorrow but I fear will find the going tough. On the other hand I do not doubt the reality of the British predicament. George of course insists our own predicament is even worse, but I am not sure that he has persuaded the British or even me.

Faithfully yours,

Foster

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–DU/12–1156. Secret. Transmitted to Washington in Dulte 9, December 11, at 9 p.m., a copy of which was sent to the White House on December 12 where it was retransmitted to the President in Augusta, Georgia, as DE WTE 46. This copy bears a handwritten notation by Goodpaster that the President saw the telegram on December 13. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series)
2. For a summary of Lange’s, Lloyd’s, and Pineau’s statements, see Document 41; for a summary of Dulles’ statement, see Document 42.
3. See Document 43.
4. See the memorandum of conversation, supra.