47. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State0
1081. Although my conversations with German officials have been limited thus far to courtesy visits,1 I am impressed with degree of concern re U.S. policy which seems to permeate their consideration of world situation today. Implicit or explicit nervousness re Berlin and U.S. presence in Europe has been evident in every instance.
In protocol visit following my presentation of credentials, President Luebke launched immediately into discussion of Berlin question, pointing out danger to Berlin-FedRep relations of any GDR-Soviet treaty, which he understood we prepared to accept. Brentano pointed out U.S. position was, rather than acceptance, simply that West could not prevent treaty if Soviets determined this course, and Luebke urged that we must be firm this issue.
Brentano and other officials of foreign office, while expressing complete confidence in U.S. intentions, nevertheless have dwelt on critical importance next twelve months to Western Alliance, and have stressed need for Western unity above all else.
Adenauer, in alluding to Under Secretary Dillon’s visit,2 mentioned Spaak’s reference to possible U.S. military withdrawal from Europe, and said that he was anxious to have early discussion with me on whole range of questions to be taken up at summit. (Brentano had privately urged me to attempt reassure Chancellor, which I shall continue to endeavor to do.)
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.00/12–559. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Berlin, London, Paris, and Moscow.↩
- Dowling was commissioned on November 7 and presented his credentials on December 3.↩
- Documentation on Dillon’s trip to London, Bonn, Paris, and Brussels December 7–14 is in volume VII, Part 1.↩