740.00119 EAC/11–944: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 9—6:31 p.m.]
9776. For the Under Secretary and Mr. Dunn. In accordance with Department’s 9320 (November 7, 8 p.m.) supplemented by Mr. Dunn’s telephone instructions, Mosely discussed at length with Strang question of amending the Protocol on Zones of Occupation in Germany. He presented one draft amendment describing the Southwest Zone and a second draft amendment describing the Bremen Zone, both based on JCS memorandum transmitted in Department’s 9320. Mosely emphasized strongly the official character of this proposal. Strang reported that his Government had received a preliminary summary of the JCS memorandum in question and expressed strong personal doubt that the British Chiefs of Staff would agree to establishment of a United States Military Government enclave within the United Kingdom Zone.
In accordance with his telephone instruction, Mosely then presented the alternative interim draft amendment regarding the Bremen area. As worded for possible insertion in the protocol, this draft reads as follows:
“Nevertheless, for the purpose of facilitating communications between the Southwestern Zone and the sea, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Forces in the Southwestern Zone will (a) exercise such control of the ports of Bremen and Bremerhaven and the necessary staging areas in the vicinity thereof as he determines to be necessary to meet his requirements; (b) enjoy such transit facilities through the Northwestern Zone as he determines to be necessary to meet his requirements.”
Mosely emphasized to Strang that this interim draft amendment does not represent any departure from the official view expressed in the JCS memorandum but is designed as a possible means for securing immediate completion of the Protocol on Zones, leaving detailed arrangements regarding the Bremen area to later elaboration by the military authorities. Mosely made it plain that he is not empowered to modify the wording of the proposed interim amendment.
Subsequent to this discussion, Strang had preliminary consultations with high United Kingdom military authorities regarding the proposed amendments and will consult the Chiefs of Staff tomorrow. His preliminary reaction tonight regarding the interim amendment on Bremen is that his authorities might accept this draft provided the words “he determines” were changed to “may be agreed” in the two relevant places.
[Page 389]Mosely’s preliminary impression is that it is very unlikely that the British will accept the words “he determines”. The effect of inserting “may be agreed” would, in his opinion, be to return the question of arriving at an agreement concerning the Bremen area to the Combined Chiefs of Staff, where it will in any case have to be decided, meanwhile permitting the EAC to complete the Protocol on Zones prior to appearance of the permanent French representative. (End of Mosely’s comment).
Following is separate opinion of the military, naval and military air advisers, EAC delegation. In their view the words “as may be agreed” furnish the British a leverage in future negotiations in the Combined Chiefs of Staff, which may weaken the necessary control of Bremen and Bremerhaven and the contiguous areas by the United States Commander, Southwest Zone. Furthermore, they desire to point out that the wording “may be agreed” might result in the matter having to be decided by the Commanders in the field, which, they feel, is something to be avoided.