862.011/5–1049: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
1900. Foreign Office states there is nothing which may be considered specifically French reservation to Bonn Constitution. French intend approve Constitution but consider that military governors at time of giving their approval should repeat agreed views previously jointly made known to Germans in regard admission Berlin, changes in Laender boundaries and federal police in order that it shall be clear [Page 266] to Germans there has been no Allied change of mind in regard these points, i.e. that Berlin shall not at this time be admitted as 12th Laender [Land], that boundaries of Laender with exception of Wuerttemberg-Baden shall not be changed and that Allied High Commission shall have right take action in regard to security matters and activities of federal police. Foreign Office consider that restatement Allied views in this regard does not annul pertinent provisions of constitution but merely suspends them until such time as Allies may withdraw their objections.1
Sent Department 1900; repeated London 292, Berlin 164, Frankfurt 23.
- In a subsequent telegram on May 10, not printed, Caffery reported that the British Minister, Clarke, had seen Schuman and urged, on Bevin’s behalf, that efforts be made to hasten the establishment of the Western German Government. Schuman had added “I am for setting up that government at an early date but I do not want to be pressured by Bevin especially because Bevin changes his mind so very often and he might change it again.” (Telegram 1903, 862.00/5–1049)↩