DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
Date: March 2, 1949
Subject: Formation of a Committee in the interest of Western Union - US cooperation
Participants: Justice Roberts Secretary Acheson
Copies to:
Justice Roberts called on me in reference to our earlier conversation reported in my memorandum of February 21. At that time he informed me of the imminent formation of a committee whose members would include Mr. Will Clayton and Mr. Robert Patterson. The purpose of this committee was to bring before Congress a resolution authorizing the President to explore with the Western Union countries the formation of a political union with the United States. He said that he had discussed the matter with the President who had given him the impression that such action would not be embarrassing to the Atlantic treaty negotiations.
At our earlier interview, I urged Justice Roberts not to have such a resolution brought before the Congress during the pendency of the North Atlantic treaty. I told him that such a resolution would furnish an opportunity for many people to oppose the treaty on the grounds that it was for something more extensive. He assured me he would discuss this matter with his friends.
Today the Justice informed me that the Committee would not take any action until the treaty was out of the way, although it might be organized before that time. When it was organized it would announce its purposes as being 1) strong support of the United Nations; 2) strong support of the North Atlantic treaty; and 3) exploration of a closer political relationship between the United States and western European countries.
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