Office of the Historian

840.70/11–2744: Telegram

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

London, November 27, 1944—8 p.m.
[Received 9:13 p.m.]

10464. From the EITO Delegation. ReEmbs 10293, November 22.

I.
After a meeting Friday evening, November 24, with Noel-Baker and Ronald (at which they said they were open to persuasion on any of the points in their proposal and are awaiting our reaction), we recommend that the United States participate in the formation of a “stop gap organization”, the name to be determined later, provided that:
(1)
Its life shall be limited to the interim period prior to the setting up of an EITO, with or without Soviet participation;
(2)
It shall not be affiliated in any way with the Conference, need not be acted upon by the Conference, and shall report to the governments which participate in its organization;
(3)
The Soviets shall be informed at the outset of our intentions and invited to participate, whether or not it is their intention to participate eventually in EITO, and invited to maintain observers with the “stop gap organization” if they do not wish to participate more fully, with the understanding that they may at any time enlarge the extent of their participation;
(4)
The “stop gap organization” to be directed by a board consisting of one representative from each of the participating governments;
(5)
The Board will, within the limits of the funds to be made available by the participating governments, engage such staff as may be required for the fulfilment of the responsibilities entrusted to it. (This provision is intended to preclude any prior commitment to employ any particular persons as envisioned in the British proposal. See section III for further comments);
(6)
The expenses should be borne equally by the participating governments, with the understanding that this provision may be modified as seems desirable if it should impose undue hardship on any government.
The “stop gap organization” should perform similar functions to those laid down for the Interim Commission in the draft directive, including advising and assisting the several European governments represented at the Conference, including governments that may not be participating directly in it, and would collect information on and study transport conditions in Europe, give any possible advice and assistance as required both to military authorities and to Allied Governments, facilitate transition from military to civil responsibility, prepare and coordinate estimates of requirements of transport equipment and material, sponsor them with the Combined Boards and supply authorities and follow up procurement action; all with primary emphasis on emergency needs and in preparation for the earliest possible setting up of EITO. The precise wording of a new draft directive will be worked out for submission to the Department upon receipt of the reply to this telegram.
II.
With regard to the British suggestion that the “stop gap organization” should include representatives of those countries which have assumed responsibility for their transportation systems, our tentative view is that from a practical operating viewpoint it might be preferable to limit the members of the Board to the four nations mentioned in the EITO agreement, making it possible for the Russians to participate should they decide to do so. In practical effect this would mean just the United Kingdom, France and United States if the Russians did not participate. The Department’s comments will be appreciated.
III.
[Here follows discussion as to the person to be chosen as executive officer.]
In this connection, the matter is not one on which we request the instructions of the Department, since our representative on the Board would necessarily be guided by the Department’s views. Under paragraph 5 of our recommendation, the Board, if it so decides, can keep the identity of TACIT separate, making use of its assistance where its special qualifications would make it most desirable.
IV.
Now that the British have become insistent on a “stop gap organization”, it is our view that we can hardly oppose it merely because we hope that it may be possible to set up EITO promptly. We are influenced on this point by Harriman’s personal opinion that any steps that may be necessary to help the inland transport situation in Europe can be taken without creating any risk of antagonizing the Soviets, provided that we keep them fully informed and offer them full participation both in the “stop gap organization” and in EITO. (See also Moscow’s 4455, November 22 to the Department, repeated to this Embassy.) [EITO Delegation.]
Winant