Telegram from Ambassador David Bruce to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State \ TELEGRAPH BRANCH 25-D-X Action Control: 6836 181 Rec'd: EUR September 16, 1950 FROM: Paris 1:29 p.m. Info TO: Secretary of State SS G NO: 1397, September 16, 2 p.m. DECLASSIFIED SMDA E E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 DCLC PRIORITY State Dept. Guidelines; March 6, 1982 DCR By DEB NLT, Date 10-17-30 EYES ONLY FOR SECRETARY AND WEBB. DISTRIBUTION AS DIRECTED BY SECRETARY'S OFFICE. I am sending this telegram because I am increasingly concerned over reports that in Washington some of our officials feel the French Government is not seriously intent upon rearmament but is putting forward various schemes designed to have others shoulder the larger part of their military responsibilities for North Atlantic defense. Personally, I think that the French have presented their case to us in a maladroit and confused manner. In an effort to correct unfortunate impressions, I will try to reduce to imple terms what it is they are apparently prepared to do, and the conditions that they attach to their program. 1. The French wish to have additional American and UK ground troops stationed in Europe, a combined command, a combined production board, a central approval of expenditures (which they inaccurately call a common budget), combined operations in the purchase and allocation of key international commodities, and protection of European currencies from undue depreciation vis=a=vis the dollar and vis-a-vis each other. S hall not comment upon the above since some of it has buen already agreed to by us and the rest is under discussion. 2. In attempting to judge the French attitude toward re- armament, one must take into consideration the personalities of its chief political leaders. Pleven, Moch, Schuman, Petsche and Mayer are, I am convinced, thoroughly aware of the grave dangers confronting the western world and equally determined that France shall do her utmost to organize to avert these dangers. To that end, the Cabinet has committed itself to the addition of fifteen new combat divisions to their present HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY ground forces, SECRET REPRODUCTION OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED