Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

740.00119 EW/7–1845: Telegram

No. 836
The Chief of the Division of Eastern European Affairs (Durbrow) and the Acting Director of the Office of Financial and Development Policy (Phelps) to the Director of the Office of Financial and Development Policy (Collado)¹

secret
us urgent

[Washington,] July 18 [1945.]

51. For Collado from Durbrow and Phelps.

If subject matter of Department’s document on “American and Russian Economic Relationship in Countries of Eastern Europe”² should come up for discussion Department suggests emphasis on three points not made explicit in recommendations:

• First. Distinction between property wholly or substantially owned by United States nationals, and lesser property interests, is not to be construed as meaning that payment is not to be made for such lesser interests. While we may not be in a position, on the basis of the interests of American nationals, to oppose removals of property in which those nationals have less than a substantial interest, we should state our position so as to avoid any implicit waiver of right to compensation in any case merely because of degree of interest.
• Second. Our objection to removals of property wholly or substantially owned by our nationals covers removals either as war booty or for reparation.
• Third. Our right to compensation for value, regardless of size, of interest in property removed in past or future includes removals both as war booty and for reparation.

1. Sent to the Secretary of State at Babelsberg over the signature of Grew.
2. Document No. 322, printed in vol. i.