Truman Papers
No. 1048
Generalissimo Stalin
to President
Truman
Dear Mr. President: I have received your memorandum of July 271 concerning German coal and a copy of your directive to General Eisenhower.
The important question set forth in your memorandum concerning the use of German coal to satisfy European needs will be subject to appropriate study. The Government of the United States will be informed of the point of view of the Soviet Government on this question.
I must however state that we should avoid a situation arising whereby the taking of measures on the export of German coal would lead to any disturbances in Germany, concerning which mention is made in your directive to General Eisenhower,—and this seems to me fully possible and necessary from the point of view of the interests of the Allied Governments.