Telegram from Secretary of State Dean Acheson to the Department of State

CLASSIFIED FOR SECRET NCT(PSF-SUBT) 101 INCOMING MESSAGE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY STAFF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE SOF STATE DEPT MSG FROM: USUN NY NY SGD ACHESON TO: SECRETARY OF STATE NR: SECTIO 41 23 SEP 50 Department pass Paris. London, Defense; sent Department SECTO 41 repeated Paris unnumbered, London unnumbered, Defense unnumbered. Following is summary of eighth session, tripartite meeting of Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers, September 22, 1950, 3 p.mo Shinwell stated that the west had sought but failed to build adequate defenses, Believe it fatal not to take advent- age of US offer of troops. Military experts had stated that 56 divisions with adequate reserves, air force and equipment were absolutely essential. It was also essential to fight east of the Rhine and to get under way far in advance of the a time schedule of the medium term plan. Pointed out necessity for organization capable of providing order in Germany in the event of attack. Noted psychological effect of justifying defense of Germany without Germans sharing in the burden of that defense. He indicated that the JK contribution by the middle of 1951 would be to add 1 division to the 2 1/3 divi- sions in Europe and to strengthen the existing divisions to extent necessary for fighting Noted that the French contri- bution of forces without equipment would merely be a skeleton force. The BENELUX countries could not be counted upon for much in way or troops. Stressed the need for reserves. Issue was whether German forces should be used when western forces were built up. If the answer to this is yes, plans must begin immediately. If no, an alternative must be sought. It was necessary to make a declaration stating that the west will use al available means including consideration of participation of German units. CM IN 14615 (23 Sep 50) DECLASSIFIED 1950 PACE 340 BYMJ.NL NARS, Date 11-27-79 63 DA SCO FORM 15 JAN 1949 22-1 pop 340 Il COPY NO. U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1948-0-811947