762.022/10–2054: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State 1
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1656. Re Embtel 1655.2 German accounts of yesterday’s Mendes–Adenauer meeting agree that it went reasonably well. Von Walther, Minister-Counselor of German diplomatic mission said that although warmth which characterized Adenauer–Schuman meetings was lacking atmosphere was good. He described it as that of “two bankers discussing detailed matters of business.”
Von Walther said talks opened with French raising practically all “secondary” points at issue between France and Germany with exception war criminals and foreign legionnaires. Asked whether French offered any “concessions” on these points or whether any agreements reached, Von Walther said no that points merely discussed. Talks then proceeded to cultural and economic questions on which French outlined prospects of extensive France-German exchanges and cooperation. On economic side, Von Walther commented that it was obvious French were anxious to dump their surplus wheat and sugar by sales to FedRep.
On Saar Germans confirm French have agreed that peace treaty rather than present settlement will be definitive. Re economic issues, Von Walther said that so far there appeared to be little difficulty but on political side talks had run into snag over Mendes proposal Saar agreement should contain paragraph banning any agitation in Saar [Page 1404] for return to Germany. He characterized this idea as unacceptable to Chancellor but indicated there was hope French would at least modify it.
Blankenhorn in separate conversation phrased this as French insistence upon some sort of legal guarantee that would preclude any change of Saar status before peace treaty.
Blankenhorn also stated German position was that agreement of French, Saar and German governments was in itself the foremost guarantee which could not be upset by mere talk among the respective populations. In any event he could not support in Bundestag any continued restrictions on political liberties of Saarlanders, including opposition to France-German Saar agreement if that was their feeling. French reported agreeable to plebiscite but Adenauer against it on grounds poisoning of atmosphere and impossibility maintaining any party discipline which could be maintained in free elections for Landtag which would confirm France-German agreement.
Von Walther said French strongly desired attachment Saar to Brussels and that while Chancellor preferred Council of Europe he did not think latter would stick on this point. He added Germans had proposed three-man commission (one German one French and one “neutral” along lines Mommer Plan) to supervise Saar and report to international body ultimately given responsibility for area.
Blankenhorn reported Chancellor not basically inclined to three-man commission since in his view French and German representatives would be in constant opposition which would tend exaggerate difficulties and could be avoided by single commissioner whose loyalties would tend to gravitate towards Saar.