851R.50/21b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
5915. The Department has received a letter from the Combined Chiefs of Staff81 stating that about 2 weeks ago the Combined Chiefs of Staff received a proposal from the British Chiefs of Staff regarding certain economic measures to be taken in North Africa upon our occupation of that area. The letter continued that the Combined Chiefs of Staff had agreed that General Eisenhower should be informed that he would concern himself with economic policies only to the extent that they affect his operations and that further action in this regard would be handled by the appropriate civil departments of the United States and the United Kingdom. The letter added that the Combined Chiefs of Staff further agreed to recommend to the appropriate civil Departments of the United States and the United Kingdom that in working out the economic policies to be adopted in North Africa they maintain close collaboration with one another, and requested that the Secretary of State initiate whatever action was considered appropriate in this regard.
Since the receipt of this letter preliminary work has been done here in this Department and as a result the following telegram has been sent to Murphy:
[Here follows a paraphrase of telegram No. 427, November 21, 6 p.m., to the Consul General at Algiers, printed on page 449.]
You will note that we are discussing this matter with British officials in Washington. We will appreciate such recommendations, if any, as you may wish to offer in connection with the general outline we have presented to Murphy and any views which you may have with regard to the best means of developing our cooperation with the British Government. While it is our thought that the principal discussions will be carried on here in Washington with British officials here, you may nevertheless desire to discuss the matter with the authorities in London.