740.5/8–2250: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State
Depto 57. Following is substance statement made today in deputy meeting by Spofford:
To bring defenses NAT powers into effective state readiness through collective action in shortest time has involved planning and action: (1) Raising and training forces; (2) Production and procurement their equipment; and (3) Provision of financial support for foregoing purposes.
First has been committed to military committee and standing group, Regional groups and standing group hope provide revised [Page 233] medium plan term within short time after October 1st. This will be firm military basis for arrangements as to manpower and matériel that member nations must effect. It is basis for long-term planning. But as short-term measure, as result standing group’s report, deputies last meeting called for reports from governments of proposed forces increases between now and July 1, 1951. This is matter for discussion when reports are received and is aid to early solution military manpower problem.
Re matériel, equipment and supply, MPSB, as result action taken July Copenhagen meeting1 initiated series inquiries into production capacity all NAT members designed to be basis of eventual NAT combined supply program. These are so-called end item task forces. Their findings will enable MPSB to allocate production of few basic items among producing nations best equipped furnish these items. This is long term approach to combined supply problem, which since deputies last meeting has got under way.
Recognizing that putting into effect combined supply program based upon end item task force procedure will take considerable time, and in view essential production urgently needed supplies here and now deputies at last meeting initiated high priority production program. This is interim short term program designed to supply deficiencies in high priority items out of existing surplus European productive capacity.
In furtherance this program, standing group furnished lists and quantities high priority items on August 15. Report of PW’s of MPSB will be laid before deputies this week indicating production capacities which are now available to furnish these items. Attach greatest importance to beginning action on this program at these meetings so that short term interim supply program may result at earliest possible moment in placing contracts for urgently required items covered by program.
Will be prepared later in deputies discussion to indicate manner in which MDAP may fit into this program.
On financial side DFEC submitted on August 10 interim report outlining several approaches to problem financing production program. Its more complete report will be ready this week. Understand this report will outline alternative means financing programs—some of which are long-term in nature in that they will require considerable study as basis for agreement. Other recommendations may serve as [Page 234] interim or provisional basis for financing projects called for by MPSB report. Both long-range ultimate solutions to financial problem in major combined supply effort and provisional or interim means financing are of interest to deputies. Latter is of course more immediate as upon these provisional arrangements will depend early carrying into effect of high priority production program.
Conceive these actions of various NAT agencies to emphasize that each agency is proceeding at same time to develop comprehensive long-term solution to its particular problem as well as immediate steps to get necessary action under way. Believe deputies’ discussions must not lose sight of or delay action upon long-term programs which must be pressed and brought into line as soon as possible do so. But discussion these long-term projects must not delay immediate action which is necessary to start in matter of days or weeks rather than months building strength both in manpower and matériel which we are agreed does not exist today.
Deputies are agreed as to these immediate arrangements and complete perfectionism must give way to action which deputies and governments must undertake on basis confidence in each other and in result which we are bound to achieve.
It is against this outline which I wish to introduce question of consideration replies by governments to US Government on subject increased defense efforts.
At second meeting deputies I stated request of US Government that there be indicated to US for its guidance in major legislative program, which then was and now is under consideration by Congress, and further for subsequent discussion by deputies, nature and extent increased defense efforts contemplated by other governments in view developments in international situation then existing. I pointed out that US had embarked upon very substantial program of increasing its defensive military strength and was prepared offer further assistance to other NAT nations to enable them do likewise, pointing out that only by a proportionate effort by each government could the potential strength, which our countries represent, be translated into actual security from aggression.
Need not repeat considerations advanced then on behalf US Government. Believe deputies were in general agreement that if we all are to face realistically and courageously situation in which we today find ourselves, it is necessary that NAT governments recognize that there must be sense of urgency in all that we do—a cool and determined urgency which derives from common determination to make reality of our potential strength while there is time to do so.
[Page 235]I have found that in US feeling of urgency is very great indeed and that progress has been made towards implementing broad program for increased defensive effort which was outlined in President’s message of July 19.2 Substantial appropriations both for US forces and for increased assistance to other nations are before Congress now. President has called into full time active service number of units National Guard and has called up Reserves in number of important categories. Our Air Force is being increased substantially. Our Navy is recommissioning ships from wartime reserves. Details these steps will be included in submission which to be made on August 28 in reponse to deputies’ resolution.
I found American industry going into necessary conversion to produce armaments for our increased efforts and help provide arms for other countries. President has asked for increased taxation in substantial amounts and for power to apply economic controls if they become necessary. Believe can have confidence that American contribution to formation of collective strength of free nations will be immediate and substantial. Determination of American people to provide their full share of contribution is however based upon expectation that US effort will be matched by equally determined efforts by other NAT governments.
Also found in US a full recognition that military strength of Atlantic community must derive from sound economic foundations. But US realizes that economic recovery without strength necessary to deter aggression and so preserve peace will be useless. When we balance economic problems of Europe against problem present lack physical strength, we are confronted with other disruptive aspect of Soviet Commie aggression. Commie internal subversion aimed at destroying free institutions from within is factor to be carefully considered. US has recognized dangers of Commie subversion growing in economic distress. ERP is our contribution to help overcome this danger. In US estimation danger has been sufficiently allayed so that thoughts should be directed less to Commie parties within nations and move to more important factor of strength of anti-Commie forces. Military strength required today cannot be achieved without some economic sacrifices. But it does not represent unsupportable burden to any of our countries. It will require sacrifices and courageous action by governments, but it need not jeopardize economies nor prohibit continuing, if slowed up achievement, of increasing economic hope and health.
[Page 236]In response to request made by US Ambassadors in each NAT capital and by US deputy here that governments consider urgently the increased defense efforts which they proposed to take, US Government has received replies from NAT governments. It is my desire to submit these replies to deputies for consideration. Will make comments on behalf US Government after each deputy has had opportunity reviewing these replies and evaluating their substance. Hope that from discussion which should then follow we may come to conclusions and develop common point of view on further action which may be necessary in light of situation, actual and prospective, which they reflect.
Suggest that objective in considering these replies should be three-fold:
- 1.
- To determine whether or not they indicate that governments contemplate action which will collectively be adequate for our major purpose—defense of the West.
- 2.
- If we conclude that they do not, indicate totality of effort required that we may form conclusions as to nature and extent further action indicated.
- 3.
- Without prejudice to such further action as we may consider is required, we should take steps here and now to translate indications of additional effort, in terms of financial commitments and further forces in being, into concrete results at earliest possible time. In other words we should find means to turn to immediate advantage in terms support of priority production program and immediate increase in forces which we have concluded to be necessary, indications of specific further efforts which are contained in many of these submissions. Suggest that in our consideration of these replies we must keep immediate as well as ultimate objectives in mind and proceed towards both concurrently as we and other NATO agencies have been doing in respective fields of effort.
Problems presented are many and difficult. It will not be easy matter to reach agreed conclusions on questions emerging from discussion. US feels however that we are now face to face with realities which are grim indeed. As US deputy and as deputies’ chairman I believe that deputies must discuss fully and frankly the means by which collective efforts can face up to realities. Discussions must be candid but tolerant and deputies must make available to each other best information and thought that governments can provide. I shall be prepared to do this on behalf of US, and it is my hope and expectation that I may be joined in this by each deputy.
Sent Department, repeated info Brussels 47, Copenhagen 88, Luxembourg 13, Paris 283, pass OSR, Rome 81, Ottawa 15, Oslo 29, Lisbon 24, The Hague 54, Heidelberg 20 for Handy.