David Bruce's diary entries - August 1954

Documents from 01 August 1954 to 31 August 1954

Identity Statement

HAEU Reference Code
JMAS-166
Original Reference Code
DAVID K.E. BRUCE DIARY MSS5:1B8303
Extent and Medium

121

Physical Medium

Paper

Reference Archivists

Carr, Mary

Content and Structure

Abstract

Remarks on: decision to maintain procedure of keeping in close touch with the pro-EDC advisers of Premier Pierre Mendés-France, but to discourage any pressures or suggestions from Washington
Paul-Henri Spaak's activities in seeking to make the EDC more palatable to France, has been misconstrued by Mendés to mean that the Benelux countries and Federal Germany will accept almost any compromise,joint telegram from Doug Dillon, US Ambassador to France and Bruce advising against favouring Mendés visit to US and considering problems within the French Government to EDC
report that Mendés intended to present at the Brussels Conference a new text which would require resubmission to the EDC Parliaments. Bruce states that other countries would reject it,- Mendés still had not made known his intentions on EDC,- letter to Bruce from Philip D. Sprouse, Counselor of US Embassy in Belgium, states that Spaak's activities had been misinterpreted, he wants no substantive changes to the treaty,- telegrams between Dillon and John Foster Dulles, regarding Mendés proceedings for Brussels Conference and his handling of issue, Dulles feels disappointed at the results of the French Cabinet meeting on EDC and resulting proposals. Bruce feels Mendés could not have made a worse mess and lists difficulties with the French proposals in a telegram to Dulles
Germans, Dutch and Belgians say the French protocal is unacceptable,- discussions on procedures for conference,- efforts to try and get Mendés to accept views of other 5 countries
telegram from Bruce and Dillon to Dulles regarding Mendés programme to kill the EDC Treaty,- efforts by Jean Monnet and other pro-EDC leaders to avert the debate,- discussions with SHAPE Generals Al Gruenther and Cy Schuyler regarding strategic plan if EDC fell through,- memo assessing the consequences of eventual French failure to ratify the EDC Treaty,- details of motion in French National Assembly terminating any further consideration of treaty, therefore killing EDC. Bruce felt French Communists were allowed to cast their votes in complete obedience to the Soviet Government,- talk with Monnet, trying to think of new designs,telegram to Dulles from Bruce regarding Spaak's opinion that Mendés falsified Brussels Conference to kill EDC,- observations of French failure to ratify and what to do about German problem,- Monnet's decision to postpone his resignation from High Authority of ECSC, declaration issued by Dulles on consequences of French action.

Conditions of Access and Use

Languages

English

Type of Archival Materials

Textual

Allied Materials

Location of Originals

The originals are held in various Archives and Presidential Libraries in the USA

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