Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XV, Germany and Berlin

62. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State¹

Bonn, July 11, 1964, 3 p.m.

120. White House for the President and McGeorge Bundy; Dept for the Secretary and Under Secretary. The timely, clear and forceful message from the President, through McGeorge Bundy, contained in Deptel 67 (Nodis),² has been most helpful. Although I have not yet been able to convey it personally to the Chancellor, whom I will see Monday afternoon,³ I did convey its content yesterday to Minister Westrick and in a meeting this morning with Westrick at which time we had a link with the Chancellor.

The Chancellor’s immediate reaction was to thank the President for his prompt response and to say that he was satisfied with it and felt more secure as a result of it. The message from the President will be of particular help to the Chancellor today as he prepares his critical speech for the CSU meeting in Bavaria tomorrow, and in his meeting with Barzel and other CDU party leaders Monday. The Chancellor expressed interest in the President’s suggestion for increased emphasis on Atlantic partnership and prospects for an initiative by the President on a wider agreement among Germany, France, the U.S., U.K. and Italy. His immediate reaction was favorable, however, he would give thought to the matter and discuss it further with me on Monday.

Other information provided by Westrick may be of interest in putting together the fast-moving picture here. Westrick said that the Chancellor, who was in Denmark at the time, was greatly disturbed by the meeting between Strauss and Adenauer on Monday, despite the fact, as we know, that Adenauer really tried to calm Strauss down. The public did not know this, and the press subsequently built up the concept of an attack against Erhard by an Adenauer-Strauss-Dufhues grouping. This is why the Chancellor struck back even while still in Denmark, and why he saw Adenauer immediately upon his return Wednesday morning. He had found Adenauer in quite a conciliatory mood. Together they had, at Westrick’s suggestion, called Strauss, with Adenauer telling Strauss not to “beat the drum.” Strauss had replied indignantly that he had no intention of “beating the drum” and his speech in Munich (Munich’s 24 to Dept)⁴ indicates that whatever his intentions had been he did not in fact do so.

Westrick said that the foremost point of irritation on the part of the French, particularly Couve de Murville, during the talks, seemed to be German support of U.S. policy in South Vietnam. Couve characterized German policy as a “satellite policy.” The Germans had, however, remained firm on the basis of their loyalty to the U.S.

Westrick said that the Chancellor had, since his return, been provided ample evidence of the overwhelming national backing that he had in pursuing his present policy line. Yesterday the leaders of German industry, including Fritz Berg, head of the Federation of German Industries, and Dr. Schneider, head of the German Chamber of Commerce, called on the Chancellor to assure him of the support of the business community. According to Westrick, the group in opposition is now really negligible—and without Adenauer has no force.

Comment: Our comment and appraisal of the overall situation resulting from the de Gaulle visit will be contained in a separate telegram following the meetings on Monday. It is clear, however, that Erhard has won an important victory within his own party, which may have far-reaching effects, and that he has been reinforced in his determination to pursue European political unity on a broad basis—firmly within the ambit of Atlantic partnership with the U.S. The strong support of the President, as conveyed in his message, has helped Erhard greatly during this critical period.

McGhee

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Germany, vol. 4. Secret; Priority; Nodis.
2. Document 61.
3. July 14. McGhee reported on his talks with Erhard in telegram 139 from Bonn, July 14. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Germany, vol. 4) McGhee reiterated President Johnson’s message, the two men discussed internal German political developments, and the Ambassador provided his analysis. McGhee commented on the Erhard-de Gaulle talks in At the Creation of a New Germany, pp. 149–150.
4. Dated July 10. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 3 EUR)