Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE , OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY all WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. Guidelines, March 6-5-81 6, 1982 12065, Sec. 3-402 July 19, 1950 State By Dept. DEB NLT, Date SECRE SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS FRANCE Ambassador Bruce in Paris reports that while the rapid decision and action by the US within the frame- - work of the UN to counter aggression in Korea had a tremendously stimulating effect on French opinion, there now exists a danger that US military reverses may tend to convince the French people that the US would be incapable of coming to the aid of western European nations quickly enough to enable those countries to repel invasion and avoid destruction. Bruce states that there have been no indications of mass hysteria or defeatism among the French people, but that disappointment has resulted since "sensational results" were not forthcoming immedi- ately after US air and naval forces were ordered into action in Korea. France suddenly felt itself more defenseless than ever in the light of events in the Far East, which French opinion saw as a prefiguration of what might happen in Europe. Bruce says that should the French be - come convinced that the best chance for the salvation of France lies in rejection of any form of military alliance or entanglement with the US, we would rapidly lose not only France but all of western Europe. He stresses that the North Atlantic Treaty and the Military Aid Program are only as strong as our allies believe them to be, and faith in their strength is now being subjected to strong attack. Bruce concludes that French opinion is still vigorous and prepared to support a program de- - signed to preserve France and western civilization from the worst consequences of armed aggression, but that new elements of planning and action must be introduced and publicized if the French people and others in western Europe are to be kept from yielding to despair. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Schuman has submitted to us an ide-memoire stating his belief that consultations between the French government, the UK, and the US on problems to which the Korean struggle gives rise are now necessary. The French aide-memoire also states that: 1) no occasion for conversations with