seriously. Detailed calculations will, however, be required to estimate the amount
of this reduction and this will be undertaken at once.
3. As regard’s point (b) we should probably make it clear that our support of the
French claim to the Saar has always related to the Saar territory before it was
extended by the unilateral action of the French and that we reserve our attitude as
regards their action in incorporating a further portion of German territory into what
to all intents and purposes will in future be French territory. In spite of French
protestations their action must in fact prejudice final determination of area of
territory.
4. My intention is to discuss the whole question with the Americans before taking
the matter up with the French Government. I would be glad to know your views on
the line we should take generally about this matter and in particular with regard to
points (a) and (b) mentioned above.
Nr. 14b: Telegramm des britischen Botschafters in Paris Duff Cooper
an das britische Außenministerium, immediate.4
6.1.1947
National Archives- Foreign Office, FO 371/64214/256/26/18.
With regard to points (a) and (b) in paragraph one I am not in a position to offer
observations as to how French share of general reparations should be affected by
recent French action. This will require detailed calculations referred to in paragraph
2. I doubt if the reduction will be taken too tragically by French. So far as I know
they raised no objection when we first made this reservation. They are anyway
sceptical of the amount of reparation to be got out of Germany under existing inter
Allied schemes and may well be satisfied with the bird in the hand which Saar
represents. In any public statement it might be worth making it clear that their share
of Ruhr coal will not be affected by the reduction.
2. Our attitude towards extension of Saar territory should I submit be governed by
extent to which British interests are affected. It is in our interests that the new
Germany should be self supporting. If her prospects of becoming self supporting
are endangered by French encroachment in Saar we shall have good grounds for
opposing such encroachment. Otherwise there would appear to be no reason why
we should intervene.
3. Future of Germany is of more vital interest to France than to any other of four
great powers yet it seems certain that the view of France will carry the least weight
45 Das Dokument ist außerdem versehen mit dem Flinweis: „This telegram is of particular
secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on“. Abschriften des
Telegrammes gingen an die britischen Vertretungen in Berlin, Moskau und Washington.
276
