Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

740.5/3–2353

No. 577
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Smith) to the Secretary of State¹

secret

[Washington,] March 23, 1953.

André Meyer just phoned me from bed, he is slightly ill.

He sees France as very strongly divided but with the odds favoring EDC ratification unless at the last minute there is some significant gesture by Malenkov. Those opposed to EDC and indeed many of the other group are hoping for such a gesture or for any other excuse to postpone ratification. René Mayer is solid and will fight the issue out. The President is not being really helpful and Bidault continues to give lip service without real support, although recently Mayer wrote Bidault a very strong letter on the subject which has brought him more into line. Bidault’s political ambitions grow apace and he sees himself as the coming President of France; therefore he seizes every opportunity by insidious suggestion and otherwise covertly to undercut both the President and the Prime Minister. He will, however, go with the tide if Mayer can create a sufficiently strong current. On the general subject of EDC, André is restrainedly optimistic, whereas three months ago he was, I know, definitely pessimistic.

He was asked privately by René Mayer to tell you that he (René Mayer) was extremely anxious to talk privately with you and with the President not in the presence of Bidault at some time during their visit. I also believe this is important although it may be slightly difficult to arrange.

André says he has two or three suggestions he would like to make (simple and constructive in nature) for our future relations with France, and will come down at your convenience. He thinks, however, that this should not be until after our French guests have left.

He mentioned that among the French correspondents who are coming to cover the conference are Genevieve Tabouis and Pertinax. Both are now strongly anti-U.S., strongly anti-EDC, and a source of opposition and embarrassment to the present French Government. This is particularly true of Tabouis. Both of these writers have always had close contact with a number of our people in the Department and elsewhere. André believes that they cannot be converted or educated and that it would be far better if they were treated with restraint and coolness and given no preferential treatment whatsoever. I agree.²

W.B.S.

1. A handwritten note in the margin of the source text indicates that Under Secretary Smith spoke with the Secretary about this memorandum.
2. During the Secretary’s staff meeting on Mar. 25, Smith discussed the situation of these two French reporters and stated that he thought no senior official in Washington should receive them. (Secretary’s Staff Meetings, lot 63 D 75, “March 1953”)