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

740.00119 EAC/10–2644: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman)

Washington, October 27, 1944—midnight.

8995. The developments between the British and Russians on the work of the EAC, as reported in your 9227, October 26, 8 p.m., are most encouraging and indicate that real progress can now be made on many important questions with respect to Germany. You can count upon the full support of the Department, which will attempt to expedite this work in every way.

We hope that the following information will be helpful to you:

1. With respect to control machinery for Germany, the Working Security Committee has prepared a supplemental paper which has been approved in the Department and is now awaiting action by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This paper elaborates upon WS–15c²⁹ and will give you the authoritative American position on control machinery. It contains a paragraph respecting contact by other United Nations and associated states with the proposed Control Council. Action on this paper by the Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected momentarily and as soon as received the full text will be telegraphed to you.³⁰

2. U.S. comment on the following draft directives is under way by air pouch: (a) Draft proclamations and general orders; (b) censorship and civilian communications; (c) disposition of German or German-controlled aircraft, aeronautical equipment and facilities; (d) disposition of German or German-controlled naval craft, equipment and facilities; (e) primary disarmament of German armed forces subsequent to surrender; (f) control of public information in Germany; (g) control of inland transport; (h) elimination and prohibition of military training; and (i) control of post, telegraph and telephone services.

3. The Working Security Committee has completed its consideration of all U.S. draft directives now before it with the exception of those on education and United Nations prisoners of war. The draft directive on United Nations prisoners of war is temporarily held up pending the arrival of your redraft of this directive. It will be given immediate attention. The other directives in question are now before the Joint Chiefs of Staff and presumably the U.S. position can be made known to you rapidly. An outline plan for refugees and displaced persons has also been sent to you by air pouch.

4. With respect to provisions concerning control over German economy, you will recall that there is an economic section in the “Directive to SCAEF regarding Military Government of Germany in the Period immediately following the Cessation of Organized Resistance”, which is limited but might be useful.

5. The Department has submitted to the President a statement of certain basic economic objectives and has received his approval in principle.³¹ However, the President desires additional information on certain phases of this problem which is now being prepared for submission to him. The Department will keep you advised in this field as rapidly as decisions can be made.

Ambassador Winant has seen this telegram.

Stettinius

29. Ante, p. 185.
30. See redraft prepared by the Working Security Committee, p. 376.
31. The reference is to the Secretary’s memorandum of September 29 to President Roosevelt and the President’s memorandum of October 20 to the Secretary, pp. 344 and 358, respectively.