Department of Defense Files
The Assistant Secretary of War (McCloy) to the Deputy Director of the Office of European Affairs (Matthews)
Dear Doc: Receipt is acknowledged of your letter dated November 15, 1944, inclosing copy of an informal memorandum prepared by Mr. Riddleberger on the meeting of November 6, 1944, and requesting my comments thereon.
It is my understanding that it was decided at the meeting of November 6 and at our subsequent meeting that, as stated in paragraph one of Mr. Riddleberger’s memorandum, no more directives of the type hitherto prepared by our delegation in the EAC will be presented to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for consideration at this time. The further understanding was that, in lieu of the detailed directives heretofore prepared, JCS 1067 would be revised in a manner which would make it appropriate for presentation to the European Advisory Commission as a broad general directive for the initial government of Germany. Matters of detailed planning for the implementation of this broad directive would be handled in the Control Council or otherwise on a military level. It is my understanding that Ambassador Winant agreed to this procedure.
It was further agreed at the meeting of November 6, with Ambassador Winant’s concurrence, that JCS 1067 represents the approved U.S. views for the control of Germany in the initial stages of occupation, and that the U.S. planners on EAC would be guided thereby and would not depart from the principles set out in this paper in drafting papers for presentation to EAC or in representing us in discussions in the EAC.
In the event that the U.K. or the U.S.S.R. should desire to change or enlarge JCS 1067 in the EAC by departing from the principles and policies stated in JCS 1067 or by the inclusion of detailed matter, the Ambassador should transmit back to Washington the proposed changes in policy or detailed material for approval or comment.
Although none of the detailed directives from our group in the EAC are presently to be considered further in the Working Security Committee or by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I should suppose that general policy guidance would be given to the EAC delegation on certain matters, including some of those mentioned in paragraph 2 of Mr. Riddleberger’s memorandum; as for example war crimes, [Page 411] United Nations War Prisoners and de-Nazification. JCS 1067 covers some of these matters, but a further general directive may be necessary to cover those points more fully, to the extent that they are not covered by JCS 1067.
To make the additions to Mr. Riddleberger’s memorandum which I feel are appropriate, I suggest the following:
- (1)
- Add to paragraph 1 the following additional paragraph:
“It was further agreed that JCS 1067 represents the approved U.S. views for the control of Germany in the initial stages of occupation after defeat, (the so-called interim period), whether such occupation is on a combined or on a tripartite basis and until long-term policies are definitely established and put into effect. The U.S. delegation in EAC will be guided by the principles stated in JCS 1067 and will not depart from the principles set out in this paper in drafting papers for presentation to EAC or in representing us in discussions in the EAC. In the event that the U.K. or the U.S.S.R. should desire in EAC to change or enlarge the provisions stated in JCS 1067 by departing from these principles and policies or by the inclusion of detailed matter, the Ambassador will transmit back to Washington the proposed changes in policy or detailed material for approval or comment.”
- (2)
- I would add the following to paragraph 2:
“Policy instructions on the points just mentioned will be given to our group in EAC, so far as not heretofore given. On the matters on which U.S. views have been forwarded to London, our delegation will be instructed to adhere to these views. In matters relating to the initial or interim post-defeat period of occupation JCS 1067 contains the agreed principles. Policy instructions, for the initial post-defeat period, supplementing JCS 1067, will be prepared after consultation between representatives of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in the form of supplemental directives or in the form of a separate paper covering points not dealt with in JCS 1067, or inadequately dealt with in that paper”.
I shall appreciate it if you will inform me whether the above conforms with your understanding of the agreement reached.82c
Sincerely,
- No reply to this letter has been found in the files of either the Department of State or the Department of Defense.↩