Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Prime Minister of Belgium Joseph Pholien, Ambassador of Belgium Robert Silvercruys, United States Ambassador to Belgium Robert Murphy, George W. Perkins, and Robert Winfree

M. Colyesnoon 5136 DEPARTMENT OF STATE 71 Memorandum of Conversation 100 : ARCHIVES SERVICE** "NATIONAL RECORDS AND DATE: April 9, 1951 SUBJECT: COVERAGE Conversation with Belgian Prime Minister. PARTICIPANTS: The Honorable Joseph Pholien, Prime Minister of Belgium Baron Silvercruys, Ambassador of Belgium The Secretary of State Mr. Robert Murphy, Ambassador to Belgium Mr. George Perkins, Assistant Secretary of State COPIES TO: Mr. Robert Winfree - WE EUR WE s/s u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 The Prime Minister began our meeting stating that he had just had a very interesting conversation with General Marshall who had told him that Europeans should not be worried about the Congressional resolution limiting American troop participation in Europe to four divisions. I expressed my agreement with General Marshall, saying that Congress had not passed a law on this but simply a resolution. I said that Congres- sional feelings on the sending of additional troops to Europe would depend greatly on the progress made by the Europeans themselves in their rearnament and, of course, on the world situation. In general, while it was correct that Europeans should not be preoccupied by this Congressional action, they themselves must make a very strong effort to rearm. Mr. Pholien then asked me if he could repeat General Marshall's statement to European correspondents who would question him on his re- turn. I said that I thought it would be best not to repeat what General Marshall had told him since it might well create difficulties for General Marshall. Ambassador Silvercruys interjected that more American troops would be sent to Europe if necessary but that a determining factor would be Europe's own effort. With this I agreed. The DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 3(D) OR (E) Dept. of State letter, Bx NLT. HC NARS Date 6-2476