issues. I said I was now prepared to recommend to you that we take initiative in ob¬
taining a joint declaration which could be signed by US, UK, France, Germany and
possibly Benelux and which would indicate general European interest in Saar and
determination of the signatories to bring about satisfactory settlement of issue
without delay.
Hallstein said Chancellor had considered this possibility but had come to con¬
clusion it was not enough. On previous occasions he hald told Bundestag that he
received assurances from the allies in regard Saar but now he must be able to
present something more which would enable him to demonstrate that action was
being taken to remedy crisis.
I agreed to put Cabinet’s proposal up to you but said I had serious doubts that it
was a practical one in the circumstances, given present state of Parliamentary
opinion in France and awkwardness for France of appearing to admit validity of
charges of anti-democratic practices in Saar. If, however, as Hallstein alleged,
Schuman would be willing to examine repeal of objectionable law I said this might
be done in response to unofficial suggestion but it was doubtful whether anything
could be accomplished before Bundestag debate or in response to formal
representations.
I also told Hallstein that if it were necessary inject new element in discussion the
suggestion I have made might be modified to take form of an official declaration
that US cannot permit this problem to block European unity and is prepared to
participate in any effort to bring about early solution of Saar question in a manner
which would reflect new situation created by Franco-German association in coal
and steel community and EDC. Hallstein felt this would be preferable to mere
declaration of Allied willingness to consider settlement before peace treaty but still
believed it would be insufficient unless accompanied by further French guarantees.
He will discuss matter with Chancellor further tomorrow.
I recognize none of these suggestions seems entirely satisfactory but believe
definite assurance from US that it is willing to take part in promptly working out a
satisfactory solution may be of some help. 1 realize it would have to be carefully
worded in order not to give French any impression we are going back on assu¬
rances given them re Saar either at Moscow in 1947 or later.
McCloy
441