Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General, Volume I

740.00119 EAC/8–1044: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)

Washington, August 10, 1944—3 p.m.

6315. Eacom 29. In considering your Comea 68,¹⁴ we have reviewed the various documents now before the EAC and the Working Security Committee. There are three general categories of such documents, namely, those submitted to EAC by the British, those prepared by the Planning Committee of U.S. advisers, and those submitted to the Working Security Committee by the State Department.

To expedite clearance here and negotiation in the Commission, we suggest that the next objective of the Commission should be to reach agreement on the general principles to be followed in the control and administration of Germany after its surrender. If we are to keep pace with the indicated course of military events, it seems essential that we reach in the near future agreement on these general principles and then proceed to a discussion of details as rapidly as possible. Some of the subjects referred to in Comea 68 appear to be in the latter category.

On this basis, we propose the following action here:

(1) There are now before the Joint Chiefs of Staff two papers setting forth American views on the future treatment of Germany and Austria, respectively (PWC–141a¹⁵ and PWC–218¹⁶). Clearance of these papers will be obtained as rapidly as possible and will be sent to you for your guidance in presenting American views but not for presentation to, or negotiation in the EAC.

(2) For negotiation in the Commission, the Working Security Committee will prepare a brief statement of general policies to be followed in the administration of Germany, will obtain approval from State, War, Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff and will forward it to you as soon as cleared. The subjects covered in this document will be limited to those which in our opinion must be agreed upon by the three Governments. We hope to transmit this document in the near future as it has already been prepared in draft form.¹⁷

(3) The Working Security Committee will continue the preparation and review of documents on the detailed aspects of administration of Germany and transmit them for your guidance after summary examination and approval by State, War, Navy and the Joint Postwar Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(4) If any general policies are not adaptable to treatment in the general statement referred to in (2) they will be dealt with in separate documents and similarly reviewed and transmitted.

We regard some such course of action as that suggested above to be required if we are to be in position to take over effectively in Germany in the event of an early surrender.

The procedure suggested above is based on the assumption that the Commission will reach agreement on zones of occupation and tripartite control machinery for Germany in as much as the statement of general policies will be drafted on that assumption.

Your comments on the foregoing will be welcomed. The subject will be discussed with Hammond on his arrival.

Stettinius

14. Telegram 5412, July 8, p. 241.
15. Not printed, but substantially the same as PWC–141b, dated August 5, p. 306.
16. Dated June 8, p. 438.
17. For text, see memorandum dated August 30, p. 335.