Office of the Historian

800.515/943: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, January 29, 1944—10 a.m.
[Received 3:52 p.m.]

294. Reference Embassy’s 252, January 26, noon, paragraph 2. The British Embassy states it has received new instructions regarding the proposed currency arrangements for Allied-occupying forces in Germany and have forwarded a letter to the Foreign Office of which the following is a summary:

1.
British Embassy understands United States Embassy has communicated to Foreign Office details of currency scheme worked out by British and American authorities.
2.
British Government considers most desirable all occupying forces so far as possible use same currency. Unsafe rely on adequate supply reichsmarks since Germans may destroy plates and printing press. Even if supply initially available, inflation and financial chaos might later develop and advisable have another currency in reserve. British and American authorities have agreed prepare and hold in readiness supply of marks for use their military forces. These would be used at the outset to pay Allied troops in districts under their control even if fighting were still going on in other parts of the country. They would also be used on termination hostilities if enough marks unobtainable from German Government or if chaotic conditions prevail.
3.
British Government attach great importance to participation Soviet Government in this scheme.
4.
British understand scheme already discussed by Mr. White73 [Page 828] with Soviet representatives in Washington and Soviet Government, therefore, aware certain details remain to be worked out. In view desirability Soviet authorities using same notes, British anticipate arrangements will be made to include suitable inscriptions in Russian characters in the design.

Harriman
  1. Harry Dexter White, Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury.↩