850.33/6–551: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate at Geneva 1
988. Swayzee from Goott. Dept concerned over possible margin Schuman Plan ratification by Ger Bundestag in view strong opposition [Page 121] Schumacher.2 Failure adopt Plan would be considered major polit defeat for US. Widest possible margin in favor ratification desirable obvious polit reasons.
In view Ger DGB approval Plan in principle and ICFTU support Ger trade union position this issue, Dept would like explore possibilities for US trade unions express their strong interest in adoption of Plan to Ger trade union leaders. Dept proposes that US trade unions on own initiative and perhaps also in conjunction with ICFTU engage in systematic effort fortify DGB leaders, particularly SPD members, in their opposition to Schumacher stand on Plan. Dept hopes effect this effort will be to encourage DGB members Bundestag not to vote against ratification of Plan. Appeal would be in terms of Plan’s broad political implications emphasizing econ recovery and unification West Eur rather than defense aspects.
Since Delaney, Ross, Potofsky in Geneva suggest you raise issue soonest with them for reactions and comments. Timing important as Plan likely be considered Bundestag near future. [Goott.]3
- Cleared by GPA, GER, EDT, and S/S.↩
- Telegram 1102 from the Liaison Division at Bonn to the Office of the High Commissioner for Germany at Frankfurt, May 24, repeated to the Department of State as 884, reported that an early and speedy passage of the Schuman Plan treaty through the Bundestag had been “considerably clouded” in recent days by a number of developments, including the fact that the occupation powers had not yet indicated publicly their intention to liquidate the Ruhr Authority and German steel restrictions with the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the continued lack of resolution of the Saar question, and the advisability of German ratification of the treaty prior to that of the French, all of which factors tended to play into the hands of Schumacher and other opponents of the Schuman Plan. (Bonn Mission files, lot 311, D(51)684)↩
- In a memorandum of July 3 to Vernon and Daniel Montenegro of GPA, Goott stated that he had just received a letter from Swayzee in Geneva in reference to U.S. trade union encouragement of German trade unionist opposition to Schumacher’s stand on the Schuman Plan. Swayzee had written that the U.S. trade union representatives had told him that they had made their position perfectly clear to their German colleagues and would continue to make it clear, but would “not do anything above and beyond this”. (850.33/7–351)↩