762A.00/9–853: Telegram
No. 221
The United States High Commissioner
for Germany (Conant) to the Department of
State1
958. Limit distribution. Brentano gave us this morning in strictest confidence his analysis of elections and their effects upon new government and upon internal as well as external developments:
Surprising and overwhelming CDU victory entails not only increase of power but also “a responsibility that is almost frightening.” One of points on which he and Chancellor agreed last night was victory must not be abused and that coalition partners and particularly SPD must be treated with respect. Chancellor intends to do nothing to offend SPD and aims, if possible, to strengthen moderate elements during crisis which they believe imminent in SPD. Chancellor as friendly gesture intends to address letter to Ollenhauer within next few days proposing meeting for discussion of current issues.
Brentano and Chancellor are agreed that present coalition should continue in same spirit of cooperation as if former partners had not suffered decline. Brentano personally favors inclusion BHE to assure two-thirds majority in Bundestag which would overcome constitutional problems relating to EDC. Price BHE would have to pay for obtaining Refugee Ministry for Kraft and minor positions for other BHE leaders would be immediate overthrow of anti-Adenauer land governments in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony. Brentano is opposed, however, to change in political composition of Bavarian government since latter has supported Chancellor’s policies in upper house.
As regards composition new Cabinet, Brentano said while no decision has been made thus far, his own views at present juncture are as follows:
Chancellor has agreed to relinquish Foreign Office and offered it to him. Brentano implied that he would accept, although reluctantly relinquishing his post as faction leader. Chancellor however, would temporarily reserve for himself certain prerogatives in foreign affairs, for example, completion Saar negotiations and matters pertaining to Council of Europe.
[Page 537]Interior Ministry would be given either to Schroeder or Tillmann of CDU. Ehlers, who has been mentioned for this post, would most likely remain in more important position of president of Bundestag. Brentano thought that in this way he would be groomed as possible successor to Adenauer. He believed it would be good politics to train leading Protestant layman as successor to Adenauer both as Chancellor and party leader.
Food and Agriculture Ministry would again go to CSU if latter can produce qualified candidate. If not, Brentano thinks Luebke, former Minister of Agriculture North Rhine Westphalia, should succeed Nicklas. He favors removal of Seebohm whom he regards as “too extreme” and whom he would possibly replace by Merkatz of DP.
Brentano thought FDP should retain present posts and Bluecher’s Ministry would probably be broadened to include foreign trade and CSC functions. As for Dehler and Kaiser, while admitting Chancellor would like to eliminate them, he thought their fate would be decided in internal coalition negotiation.
Brentano gave little credence to current rumors re organization new Information and Intelligence Ministry under Lenz. He said he would categorically oppose establishment of Propaganda Ministry in any form. Brentano felt sure Blank would continue in present post. He anticipated no other Cabinet changes.
Touching on overall European integration, he declared Chancellor was now in position make any concessions which would facilitate speedy settlement of outstanding problems connected with EDC, EPC as well as Saar. As for latter, he felt Chancellor would continue to insist upon Europeanization, with satisfactory economic arrangements for France. He thought election results would compel French soon to make up their minds and would greatly favor forces in Paris backing EDC. He even expected French ratification of treaties before Xmas. Brentano, who has special interest in Italian affairs and whose brother is Ambassador in Rome, considered that Adenauer victory would have favorable repercussions in Italy, possibly resulting in new elections and return of De Gasperi.
Brentano said it has been agreed with Chancellor and Ehlers to convene new Bundestag on October 2 by which time coalition negotiations should be completed.
- Repeated to London, Paris, Rome, Moscow, and Berlin.↩