Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 2

762.022/5–654: Telegram

No. 683
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

secret
priority

Washington, May 7, 1954—7:07 p.m.

5905. Reference Paris 4192 and 4224² reporting Dillon’s conversations with Hallstein and Schumann on Saar, believe time has arrived for coordinated US–UK démarches in two or more phases in Bonn and Paris on Saar. Agree that US–UK brief³ has been overtaken by recent developments and that immediate step now in order is for US and UK representatives in Bonn to urge Chancellor to accept Schumann’s procedure of indicating specifically what articles of full text of van Naters plan are acceptable and what drafting changes are considered essential from German point of view. This would appear consistent with Hallstein’s proposal that he and Schumann develop text containing agreed paragraphs and French and German versions of disagreed paragraphs plus his indications that Germans are prepared accept van Naters text in toto with minor modifications.

We believe that this procedure would not only facilitate eventual Adenauer–Bidault discussion and agreement but would also enable US–UK to intervene more effectively, if necessary, on disagreed paragraphs van Naters recommendations prior to Adenauer–Bidault meeting. Joint brief to be used at that time would be finalized depending upon nature and extent of disagreed paragraphs (London 4905⁴).

As for timing next Bidault–Adenauer meeting much obviously depends upon developments at Geneva. However believe Schumann (and perhaps Bidault at Geneva) should be urged seek Bidault–Adenauer meeting prior May 18 Council of Europe Ministers meeting (and prior original May 18 date set by French Government to ask Assembly to fix date for EDC debate).

London should discuss foregoing with Foreign Office and urge that Jebb and Hoyer Millar be authorized concert with Dillon and Conant in approach as outlined above.⁵

Dulles

1. Drafted in GER and WE, cleared by Lyon, G, and WE, and initialed for the Secretary of State by Bonbright. Repeated to Paris, Bonn, and Geneva.
2. Document 681 and supra.
3. A copy of this six-page brief is in file 762.022/5–154.
4. Telegram 4905 reported that the Foreign Office had for some time been conscious of the need to update the joint brief and had begun work on the revision. (762.022/5–554)
5. On May 7 the Embassies in Paris, London, and Bonn all reported the belief that the time had come for joint intervention. At the same time HICOG and the Embassy in Paris reported that their British counterparts shared this view and the Embassy in London stated that the Foreign Office also believed the time had come for the United States and the United Kingdom to act. (Telegrams 4250 and 4264 from Paris, May 7, 762.022/5–754; telegram 4965 from London, May 7, 762.022/5–754; and telegrams 3415 and 3437 from Bonn, May 7 and 8, 762.022/5–754 and 5–854)