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

740.00/7–1652: Telegram

No. 65
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State¹

secret

London, July 16, 1952—noon.

277. Times story in next numbered tel² has earmarks of being written after full FonOff briefing, although ref to Churchill’s statement in Commons on July 8 is in error. He was asked views on possible federation of Commonwealth and in this context his reply that he has never been in favor of federation can hardly be interpreted to include Eur. Further comment will follow after contacting FonOff reps who are not available until later today.³

Gifford

1. Repeated to Paris, Brussels, The Hague, Moscow, and Bonn.
2. Telegram 278 from London transmitted to the Department of State the text of an article entitled “Federation of Europe” which appeared in the July 16 issue of the London Times. (740.00/7–1652)
3. In telegram 300 from London, July 16, the Department of State was informed that the Foreign Office advised that the Times article under reference represented British views on the Schuman proposal, with the exception of the inaccurate reference to Churchill’s statement in the House of Commons. (740.00/7–1652)