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

740.00/7–552: Telegram

No. 54
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

London, July 5, 1952—2 p.m.

77. Re Embtels 67² and 68,³ July 3.

Hood head of Western Organization Dept, FonOff has shown EmbOff translation Fr memo of June 27 and rough drafts of reply to Fr and covering memo to Eden which have been cleared “at working level”.

Fr memo briefly indicated that Fr propose to use Schuman Plan Assembly to undertake task of creating supra-national political authority and “that any existing or future community should be subordinated to it” meaning, according to Hood, coal and steel and defense communities and such possible future communities as agricultural. Hood indicated, as above implies that Fr do not explicitly contemplate that whole panoply of powers of a central government shall be conferred at one stroke on political authority, but that Monnet seems to be thinking primarily of taxation. Hood added that control over foreign affairs would necessarily come next. Memo stated that other members Council of Europe to be invited “under conditions to be determined.” Hood added that now Monnet’s idea is for Schuman Plan six to get together without too many others except United States and UK in on study. Memo also mentioned participation in study by ministers of six countries.

Draft reply in substance makes three points that: (a) study by Schuman Plan Assembly shall be within “framework of Council of Europe”, (b) it shall be “in harmony with Eden proposals for Council of Europe,” and (c) to this end Brit urge that six ministers at meeting July 12 accept Eden proposals and put them immediately into effect by setting up Schuman Plan Assembly “from outset within framework of Council of Europe.”

Two page draft covering memo says “Schuman made it clear that it wld be contrary to Fr ideas for six to proceed to set up political authority on their own;” that best means of assuring close UK assoc with evolution of political auth wld be early decision by French and partners to accept Eden Council of Europe proposals and give them immediate effect so that from outset Strasbourg Assembly sitting in restricted session will serve as Assembly of Schuman Plan.

Memo said Hayter considered Fr motives to be strategic, to weld Ger into Western Europe and tactical, to disarm Fr Socialists and RPF.

Memo stated main objection to Fr proposals was that they were premature and that it was doubtful to what extent public opinion in six countries was prepared for this major development. In this connection memo did not differentiate between proposals for initiating a study which wld presumably be one of best ways to prepare public opinion for ultimate action and substantive action proposals which study might recommend, but said that any attempt to discourage study bound to be misunderstood in United States and on continent.

Only one sentence in memo dealt with effect on Brit interests: “our interest lies in ensuring that the political auth is developed within the framework of an organization in which we play a full and active part.” Hood acknowledged that if political auth created and carried to logical development with Brit assent wld constitute reversal of Brit policy of centuries brought about by new world power situation resulting from last war. He acknowledged acute Brit concern at possibility of development of new power across channel of magnitude which wld overshadow UK. In connection with United States interest in developing continental federation, he commented that it had in effect some of aspects of creating by design what United States had fought two world wars to prevent. In reponse to direct question he expressed opinion without appearance of conviction that UK wld assent to such development. He did not respond to speculative comment that there might well be considerable sentiment for keeping any new arrangements on continent as loose as possible. Though above considerations not mentioned in draft memo to Eden, EmbOff gained impression they are being carefully and prayerfully weighed.

Hood said Fr do not expect Brit reply before end of next week, but FonOff hopes to get it out Tuesday or Wednesday and in any event in time for Ministers mtg July 12. He said did not know if Fr had presented their proposals to United States or when they intended to do so.

Gifford

1. Repeated to Paris and Bonn.
2. See footnote 2, Document 52.
3. Document 52.