396.1/9–754: Telegram

The United States High Commissioner for Germany (Conant) to the Department of State 1

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690. Hallstein tells us Chancellor is seeing Hoyer Millar this morning and will say to him that while German Govt appreciates U.K. initiative he does not favor 8 or 9 power conference as proposed by British. He will justify his position by arguing that he cannot be placed in position of negotiating “safeguards”, which British have still not spelled out for him, at a conference without giving them appearance of discriminatory restrictions imposed on Germany. He feels therefore that such safeguards must be discussed through diplomatic channels and will propose that work begin on this at once.

Hallstein says Chancellor is particularly anxious that onus of blocking 8-power conference not fall wholly on Germans. Chancellor is therefore anxious that U.S. maintain position in favor of early NATO meeting and will communicate with Spaak in hope he will likewise press on this point. Hallstein added that Chancellor attaches great importance to this NATO meeting taking place before Sept 21 and would discuss this further with me during my call on him this afternoon.

Conant
  1. Repeated to London and Paris. The Department of State subsequently transmitted the source text to Secretary Dulles in Manila in telegram Tedul 21, Sept. 7.