Office of the Historian

851.5045/10–2748: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

confidential
us urgent
niact
Washington, October 27, 1948—7 p. m.

4186. John L. Lewis1 this morning issued blistering attack on French Govt, ECA and US Govt demanding Green2 as former miner and backer of Truman ask Pres “use some of vast power in his hands [Page 673] in control of Marshall funds to require French Govt to cease making war on own citizens who are coal miners at expense of American taxpayer.” New AFL international rep Geo Delaney and International affairs committee headed Woll understand situation fully but Green in Minneapolis suddenly issued off-cuff statement saying “if it can be determined US funds are being used by French officials for strike breaking purposes he will appeal personally Pres Truman cut off all recovery aid France.”

Urgent cables from CFTC and FO to Green, Lewis and Murray3 deploring Lewis and Green statements, outlining French anti-Communist position and pointing up Cominform role would be helpful. Such statement to Green particularly warranted since he said AFL would look into facts. Emb should quote their messages immediately to Dept.4

Lovett
  1. President, United Mine Workers.↩
  2. President, American Federation of Labor.↩
  3. President, Congress of Industrial Organizations.↩
  4. Final paragraph reads as corrected by telegram 4193, October 28, 5 p. m.↩