Draft Letter from President Harry S. Truman to Secretary of State Dean Acheson and Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson

TOP SBCI NLT (PSF SUBJ.) 91 copy 10F 2 DRAFT 8/25/50 My dear Mr. Secretaries: Beginning on September 12, 1950, the Secretary of State will be meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom and France and, following that, with the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The, most urgent problem coming before the Ministers will be that of moving forward rapidly to strengthen effectively the defense of Europe and to determine the nature of the contribution by Germany to this defense. The urgency of meeting this problem is increased by the growing military capability of East German forces. If the United States does not have a clear position prior to these meetings on the following points, there might well be disastrous consequences: 1. Are we prepared to commit additional United States forces to the defense of Europe; 2. Are we prepared to support, and in what manner, the concept of a European defense force, including German participation on other than a national basis; 3. Are we prepared to look forward to the eventuality of a Supreme Commander for the European defense forces; 4. Are we prepared to support the immediate creation of a Combined Staff for such an eventual Supreme Commander; F.R. CFC.S. DECLASSIFIED The Honorable PAGE 250 The Secretary of State By NITHH NARS, Date 11.27.79 The Honorable The Secretary of Defense TOP SECRET