Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

15 DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON May 10, 1950 R SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS US-UK In discussions yesterday in London between UK Foreign Minister Bevin and Secretary Acheson, Bevin stated his belief that the issue between Soviet philosophy and western civiliza- - tion must come to a head in a few years but said that he did not know whether an estimate of three or four years were the right guess as to time. Bevin was disturbed at the thought that the Soviets might develop two big civil wars, one starting from Eastern Germany and one in Southeast Asia. He agreed that we must strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and build our military defenses, but indicated that these efforts must be based on economies that would carry the weight without jeopardizing the standard of living. Bevin stated that the UK has a dual approach to the problem of organization each one helping the other: 1) to organize Europe as efficiently as possible; and 2) to develop cooperative effort "under the Atlantic Community umbrella". He emphasized the limits which the UK economic and financial situation places on the UK's ability to build her defenses and contribute to the solution of the problems of Southeast Asia and stressed the need for US and Commonwealth help along these lines. Referring to Germany, Bevin agreed that German membership in the Council of Europe would go a long way to facilitate reuniting Europe. The Secretary then said that it was important to make a start on defense and that the US, recognizing the necessity for a broader economic base in order to support the increased defense effort, realizes that its interest in Europe does not stop in 1952. He stressed, however, the importance of Europe taking action to strengthen its own economic system. He stated that the two DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 SECREI State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By, DEB NIT. min 5-14-85