740.5/2–252

The British Embassy to the Department of State 1

secret

The following is a personal message to Mr. Acheson from Mr. Eden.

“I have just had a useful round with the French.2 They were very pleased by the account I gave them of selected aspects of our recent talks in Washington and seemed particularly reassured by the Tripartite Staff Talks on South East Asia.

2. They are bothered about the possibilities of trouble in the French Assembly if there is any undue pressure from the Germans about the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. I think that I was able to reassure them, but they are still afraid that we shall run into difficulties if we commit ourselves definitely to invite Adenauer to London. I feel sure it would be wise to wait for a few days before deciding.”

  1. An officer of the British Embassy handed this to Byroade (GER) on Feb. 2. The Embassy in London was informed of the communication in telegram 3861, Feb. 4, to London, not printed. (396.1 LO/2–452)
  2. Foreign Secretary Eden visited Foreign Minister Schuman in Paris, Feb. 1–2, 1952 and reported upon the American-British meetings in Washington in January. During those American-British meetings, Eden had indicated to Acheson his intention of making such a visit to Paris. For documentation on these American-British meetings of January, see volume vi .