840.70/12–2044: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 20—1:34 p.m.]
11296. From EITO Delegation. Department’s 10400, December 13, 10 p.m. Embassy’s 11003, December 12, 1 p.m. was seen and [Page 921] concurred in by Mosely. We had previously discussed with him the question of the degree of authority to be exercised by each zonal commander independently of the Control Council for Germany. Mosely agrees that, lacking unanimous agreement in the Control Council regarding an economic matter affecting Germany as a whole, each zonal commander would retain supreme authority over that matter within his zone. He feels, however, that, in view of the probable transport needs both of Europe and of Germany, unified control over German transport will be found to be essential in the period of Allied control. Such matters of [as?] transfer of surplus equipment out of Germany or the question of through service across the Soviet zone would, in any case, require action by the central control machinery and hence the cooperation of the Soviet Control element. He further feels that the Soviets, in view of their own economic needs, attach very great importance to the German economy being operated pretty much as a unit and that it would be difficult to operate any branch of the German economy as a unit if the transportation system were broken into three separate parts independently operated. [EITO Delegation.]