Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 1

740.00/9–2254: Telegram

No. 223
The Consul at Strasbourg (Andrews) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Strasbourg, September 22, 1954—3 a.m.

56. Mendes-France’s speech before Consultative Assembly² was no success. Assembly, predisposed suspect and mistrust Mendes as “anti-European”, was visibly not impressed by speech which was generally unclear on all critical points, disjointed, uninspired and uninspiring. None of his remarks called forth any expression of approval and applause at end of his address was spotty and perfunctory. Even Prime Minister’s entourage privately acknowledged that speech had failed secure support for French proposal.

Criticism of Mendes plan voiced in subsequent speeches by Teitgen and Mollet underlined weakness French position. “Pro-European” parliamentarians with whom we talked were discouraged. They saw little chance France play any constructive role in immediate future. Gerstenmaier, German Christian Democrat, was particularly emphatic in his disapproval Mendes proposals, stating privately, “This is no basis for us, absolutely not, no basis”.

Opinion in assembly naturally divided. Struye and Fens told us this morning that proponents European integration disappointed over speech and vice versa for others. However, former said he approved speech on ground it would eventually permit German incorporation in NATO. Fens believed Mendes-France would do everything possible prevent any form German rearmament and that his purpose in London³ would be advance such unacceptable propositions that he would be able tell National Assembly he had done his best for France.

In press conference following his address, Mendes in response to various questions repeatedly disclaimed any intention of advocating neutralist position and emphasized necessity for strengthening Atlantic solidarity. He declined, however to discuss German entry into NATO or provide any details of his plan for German rearmament.

Andrews

1. Repeated to Paris, London, Brussels, Bonn, and The Hague.
2. The second part of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe met in Strasbourg Sept. 13–24. For a record of these meetings, see Minutes of Proceedings (Strasbourg, 1954) and Official Report of Debates (Strasbourg, 1954).
3. This is a reference to the Nine-Power and Four-Power Conferences scheduled to meet in London beginning Sept. 28; for documentation concerning the London Conference, see vol. v, Part 2, pp. 1294 ff.