462.00R296/4180: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Edge) to the Acting Secretary of State
372. The conference with the French Ministers lasted from 10:30 to 12:30. A net result was a decision on the part of Monsieur Laval to call an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers at 6 tonight. We are to meet the conferees, following a Council meeting at 9:30 tonight. I have already put in a telephone call for the Acting Secretary for 10 a.m. Washington time.
[Paraphrase.] We presented the President’s counterproposal as contained in your telegram No. 298, June 27, 10 p.m., and as previously given to the Minister of Finance (see Embassy’s 371, June 29, 1 a.m.). Although Monsieur Laval expressed his doubt as to its being accepted, he agreed to present the counterproposal to the Cabinet tonight.
Following this discussion this direct question was asked by Laval: “What will happen if the Council refuses to accept the counterproposal?” We then frankly outlined the next step the President would probably take according to Department’s telegram 298.
It is understood that no statement would be published of this situation at this time. [End paraphrase.]
- Telegram in two sections.↩