Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, former Prime Minister of Denmark Hans Hedtoft, Ambassador of Denmark Henrick de Kauffmann, and James Bonbright

0868 DEPARTMENT OF STATE 981 Memorandum of Conversation 243 DATE: July 28, 1952 SUBJECT: PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Hans Hedtoft The Secretary of State Also present: Mr. Henrik de Kauffmann, Dmish Ambassador Mr. Bonbright, EUR COPIES TO: s/s, BNA, GER u. s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 Mr. Hedtoft, former Danish Prime Minister and leader of the Danish Social Democratic party came to see me at 3 o'clock this afternoon accompanied by the Danish Ambassador. After the customary exchange of greetings I asked Mr. Hedtoft for his views on the current situation in Europe. He replied without hesitation that he regarded the German question as presenting the biggest problem at this time. He spoke at some length regarding Schumacher whom he described as a "problem child" although he had no doubt of Schumacher's anti (-Communist sentiments. He did not conceal the fact that Schumacher was disappointed with the United States and expressed the view that this feeling had its origin in the treatment which Schumacher allegedly received in 1945 and 1946 at the hands of 'certain American Generals." According to Mr. Hedtoft, European workers have the impression that the US is pushing too hard and too fast in its efforts to obtain the rearmament of Western Germany In his view the workers wish to be absolutely certain that no stone has been left unturned to make possible unification of Germany and to avoid the permanent lowering of the Iron Curtain between the Soviet and Western zones which they feel CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Depr. of State letter, By NLT. He NARS Date 11.29.76