Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NLT(Nown Aide) 84 the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSITIDED 12065, Sec. 1982 3-402 September 11, 1950 State BY DEB Dept. E.O. Guidelines, NLT, 6-7-85 TOPSICRET SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS UNITED KINGDOM In a personal message to the Secretary of State on September 8, Foreign Minister Bevin expressed the view that the Governments of the US and the UK are on the verge of making real progress in their defense measures and in the restoration of confidence on the mainland of Europe. He cited specifically: 1) the UK and Belgian decisions to extend the length of national service; 2) the French decision to produce five new divisions by next summer; 3) the UK decision to bring its forces in Germany, up to three and a half divisions, fully up to strength and ready for battle; and 4) the progress made by the North Atlantic Council Depu- - ties for coordinated defense production. However, Bevin expressed concern over the financial aspects of the UK defense effort. He pointed out that the UK reply to our request for a statement of what the UK could undertake over the next three years, given US aid, was formulated with the utmost care and represented the most that the British economy could bear without resort to extensive wartime con- trols or a serious setback to its recovery effort. Furthermore, the reply made clear that the UK program was dependent on the aid which the US had indicated would be available. Despite this, the UK is now being pressed to commit itself to a vast production program and to start placing orders before it has received any firm commitment from the US as to the extent or the form of aid the UK might receive. While the UK realizes the urgency of the situation and desires to maintain present momentum and to initiate additional production, it will be unable to do so without an installment of aid from the US. Bevin also stated that the British Government was encouraged to hear of the prospective large increases in our armed forces and inquired as to the number of divisions the US could station on the continent 'before aggression takes place. 11 He considered this as the key question and believes that if the US increased its forces in Germany, it would be decisive for the morale of Europe and that the US and UK would "be able to hold France and Germany firm. " TOP SECRET $