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

740.00119 European Advisory Commission/38: Telegram

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

Washington, January 15, 1944—9 p.m.

392. We appreciate the information respecting British thinking and intentions relative to the development of the work in the European Advisory Commission as set forth in your 175 of January 8. We also have had similar indications and, for some time past, the Department has had under preparation a considerable amount of documentation for eventual transmission to London to guide you in these matters. The Department furthermore understands very well the urgency and importance of supplying you with definite material for utilization during the early phases of the Commission’s work. It therefore caused to be established some weeks ago an inter-departmental committee known as the “Working Security Committee” on which the State, War, and Navy Departments are represented. The primary functions of this Committee are:

1. To prepare for transmission by the Department documents from Washington for the instruction, information, and guidance of the American representative on the European Advisory Commission; and,

2. To deal with incoming reports and recommendations from the Commission and to draft instructions to our representative respecting the position of this Government on the various matters that may arise as a result of the Committee’s deliberations.

It was arranged that any documentation prepared by the Working Security Committee would have the approval of the three Departments, and at least the informal approval of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before transmission to you. This Committee has been in almost continuous session since December 21, 1943, and has agreed upon certain basic documents respecting the terms of surrender for Germany. Although we have continually emphasized the importance of your receiving these instructions at an early date, we have not been able to send them because the Joint Chiefs of Staff have not yet indicated their approval. The Department realizes that you cannot longer delay calling a meeting of the Commission. In view of our inability to obtain clearance on these papers, you have no alternative but to proceed on the basis of such documents as the British or Russian representatives may submit.

With reference to your 201 of January 8,⁴⁹ your inquiry as set forth in the first paragraph was answered in the Department’s 207 of January 8, 10 P.M.⁵⁰ A document giving our ideas on the modalities of a Rumanian surrender, similar to that which has been cleared by the Working Security Committee for Germany, is under discussion now, and will be transmitted as soon as the necessary clearances have been obtained.⁵¹

Hull

49. Not printed; the reference is to an inquiry whether the character of the Rumanian surrender terms and attendant control organization would be a matter for discussion in the European Advisory Commission (740.00119 EW/2058).
50. Vol. iv, p. 133.
51. Documents WS–16a, “Provisions for Imposition Upon Rumania at Time of Surrender”, dated January 13, 1944, and WS–17, “Aspects of Rumanian Surrender Requiring Agreement Between the British, Soviet, and American Governments”, dated January 14, 1944; for texts, see vol. iv, pp. 136 and 142, respectively. For correspondence regarding the negotiations leading to the signing of an armistice with Rumania at Moscow on September 13, see ibid., pp. 133 ff.