862.01/8–744
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
Some weeks ago a German journalist in a neutral country with connections with the German Legation established contact with a British Agent there. This German claimed to be in touch with high German military and civilian personages who were planning the overthrow of Hitler and the Nazi régime. His story bore every resemblance to similar stories which have been produced at intervals since 1938 and it was accordingly discounted as probably of little importance.
- 2.
- Shortly before the attempt on Hitler’s life this German reported that the conspirators in Germany, who included General Beck, intended to act immediately without waiting for any encouragement from the United Nations, and that Hitler would probably be murdered before the end of July. It would therefore appear that this German and the information provided through him are in fact serious although it cannot, of course, be said whether or how far his activities are known to and tolerated by the German Government or any particular group or clique holding high office in Germany. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom hope to receive shortly through the same channel a fuller account of recent events in Germany which they will of course pass on to the United States Government.
- 3.
- In communicating this information to the United States Government, His Majesty’s Government wish to emphasize that there is, of course, no question of His Majesty’s Government giving any promises or indeed any encouragement to dissident Germans through this or any other channel nor of departing in any way from the formula [Page 540] of unconditional surrender. His Majesty’s Government felt however that they should not miss any reasonably promising opportunity of acquiring information bearing on the stability or otherwise of the régime inside Germany.
- 4.
- The above information is being conveyed to the Soviet Government.
Washington
, August 7,
1944.