740.00119 EAC/7–1144
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
No. 16799
London, July 11,
1944.
[Received July 18.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a draft
General Directive for Germany which has been prepared by the Planning
Committee of the political, military, military air and naval advisers to
Ambassador Winant on the European Advisory Commission. This paper has
been approved by the advisers and is submitted for comment and
clearance.
It is believed that tripartite negotiations in the Commission on the
directives for the three Allied Representatives in Germany will begin at
an early date. The subject of the enclosed draft directive may be one of
the first to be discussed and it is therefore important for the
Ambassador to receive official comments on this paper as soon as
possible. Naturally this directive and all other draft directives which
may finally be approved by the appropriate authorities in Washington
will be subject to modification in the course of the negotiations in the
Commission.
As indicated in Comea 68 of July 8, 1944, a series of policy directives
covering the broad objectives of United States policy would be of great
assistance to the Planning Committee in its work of formulating more
detailed administrative directives. Such directives would also be of
great use to the Ambassador if, as seems possible, the three members of
the European Advisory Commission should themselves take up each of the
many directives which will have to be agreed upon.
Respectfully yours,
For the Ambassador:
E. Allan Lightner, Jr.
Secretary to the U.S. Delegation European Advisory
Commission
[Enclosure]
Draft Directive to the Three Allied
Commanders-in-Chief General Directive for Germany96
- 1.
- This directive relates to the post-surrender period and is
concerned with certain general matters not covered in particular
directives.
- 2.
- You will bear in mind the general mission of the forces of
occupation, which is:
[Page 245]
-
a.
- To enforce the Terms of the Unconditional Surrender of
Germany and of all Proclamations, General Orders,
Ordinances and Instructions issued pursuant to these
terms.
-
b.
- To disarm and to demilitarize Germany and to destroy
Germany’s war-making potential.
-
c.
- To convince the German people of their total defeat by
the United Nations, and of the futility of future wars
of aggression.
-
d.
- To destroy the National Socialist Party and its system
and to discredit completely its doctrines.
-
e.
- To impress upon the German people the unity of the
occupying powers and the Allied character of the
occupation.
-
f.
- To make available to the maximum extent possible, the
resources of Germany for relief, rehabilitation and
reconstruction in the countries which have been overrun
or damaged as a result of the war.
-
g.
- To permit those elements among the German people who
desire German participation in a peaceful international
life to lay the foundations for such participation by
the establishment of responsible democratic
government.
- 3.
- Your administration will be firm but just. You will in
particular, punish fully and promptly any organization or
individual who fails to render satisfactory cooperation with
your military government or who fails to comply fully with any
Proclamations, Orders, Ordinances or instructions that will be
issued.
- 4.
- You will take steps consistent with the maintenance of
military security and the enforcement of the Terms of Surrender
to assist the German people to establish efficient
administration and to develop a national economy which will
provide for minimum German subsistence and enable Germany to
make the maximum contribution toward relief, rehabilitation and
reparation.
- 5.
- You will, insofar as feasible, govern Germany indirectly,
requiring the professional government servants and public
service employees to continue to carry out their functions. You
will, however, dismiss all active Nazi leaders and others among
such government servants and employees whom you believe to be
unreliable, replacing them, if feasible, with competent German
personnel who will cooperate fully with your military
government. You will warn all professional government servants
and public service employees that they will hold their positions
only during continued cooperation.
- 6.
- You will tolerate no discrimination against individuals or
organizations on the grounds of race, color or religion, and you
will permit freedom of religious worship.
- 7.
- You will not allow political activities which constitute a
threat to military security or a return to National Socialist
doctrines, or doctrines inimical to general security and good
order. You will refrain from giving your authority or support to
any particular party or movement.
- 8.
- You will discourage all fraternization between your forces and
the German population.
- 9.
- You are authorized to delegate in whole or in part, at your
discretion, the authority granted to you in this and other
directives, in the Terms of Surrender and in any ordinance,
order or instruction, to any member of your command, and
further, to authorize them to make appropriate sub-delegations
of authority.
