851R.50/23: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
6236. Your 6763, November 30. We welcome the concurrence of the British Government in the arrangements envisaged by this Government and the British offer of cooperation. We feel that the interest of both Governments can be most expeditiously handled by the joint procedure envisaged in this and previous telegrams.
It is expected that the civilian mission composed of two representatives of State, BEW, and Lend-Lease, one Treasury and one Agriculture representative will proceed to North Africa within the next few days. Until they have had an opportunity, after consultation with General Eisenhower and his Civil Affairs staff, to submit recommendations, it is not our intention to formalize any specific procedure to deal with the non-military operations in North Africa. We have not been informed regarding the organization of the two boards mentioned in your telegram and believe that details of the organization should be left to the Civil Affairs staff under the direction of the Civil Affairs officer. The four following paragraphs represent the Department’s views in this respect which are being communicated to Murphy:
During the period of actual military operations and until General Eisenhower has decided that full responsibility for civil affairs can be transferred to civil departments and agencies, non-military operations shall be carried on under the general supervision of the military commander and shall be subject to the exigencies of the military situation. The primary objective of all civilian officials in North Africa during this period shall be to contribute to the success of our military operations and particularly to assist in the supply of materials which are recommended by the Army as contributing to these operations.
It is anticipated that following this period of active military operations there will be a transition period during which the military commander will wish to divest himself of certain responsibilities for the conduct of civilian affairs. At that time and in accordance with the judgment of the military commander representatives of the civil departments and agencies, under the leadership of the State Department, will be able to undertake those responsibilities.
During the initial period non-military problems in North Africa will be dealt with by the Civil Affairs Staff of the Military Commander, which shall consist of both United States and British members. [Page 478] All members of the staff shall be responsible to the Civil Affairs Officer of the Allied Forces, Mr. Murphy. Relations with the French authorities shall be conducted exclusively through or with the approval of the Civil Affairs Officer. Operating programs of supply, procurement, finance and other controls, under policies agreed to in Washington, and recommendations for policy consideration in Washington will be worked out in joint terms under Mr. Murphy’s direction by the United States and British members of his staff and with such collaboration with the local authorities as seems desirable.
In Washington the formulation and implementation of the economic and social program has been placed under the Office of Foreign Territories in the European Division of the Department. Mr. Paul Appleby, Under Secretary of Agriculture, has been loaned to the Department for the purpose of assuming charge of this Office. The Office will be assisted by a number of advisory and operational committees on which the interested United States and British agencies will be represented. The facilities of these agencies, including the Combined Boards, will of course be used whenever possible. It seems desirable that questions arising under the program be dealt with in the first instance by these groups in Washington, subject of course to the recommendations of General Eisenhower and the Civil Affairs Officer, and to the concurrence in policy matters of the British authorities. The Office of Foreign Territories will of course maintain the closest liaison with the British Embassy on matters affecting the overall program.
The Department agrees with the British that the seven economic warfare objectives listed in your telegram are important and must be dealt with as promptly as possible. It is envisaged that the operating Committee and the Civil Affairs Staffs will give early consideration to them. In the meanwhile, we should welcome any further British views on these subjects. We regard, however, censorship and communication in the present stage of operations as military in character to be handled by the military, under whose joint United States and British direction any necessary surveys should be undertaken.
As to the dispatch of United States personnel from London to North Africa, the Department is authorizing Gullion to proceed for the specific purpose of surveying under the general direction of the Civil Affairs Staff, the problems of using this area for economic intelligence purposes. In general, however, the Department would prefer that no further United States personnel proceed from London until our mission has had an opportunity to examine the situation and report their personnel needs, as well as their other recommendations. [Page 479] In view of the novel and complicated problems of organization faced by the Civil Staff in North Africa, it seems desirable that United States Civil personnel be dispatched from Washington after instruction here as to their duties and position in the field.