740.00119 Control (Germany)/l–545: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant )
top secret
u. s. urgent
niact

116. . . . Formal action [on proposals for control of Bremen area] has not been taken only because of desire to avoid sharp issue and in hope that attempts to work out solution would be successful. Yesterday at conference with Lord Halifax and General Macready War Department officials and Joint Chiefs of Staff representatives worked out formula which British stated they would recommend to London. If this is agreed to by London War Department advise that they will remove objections to signing protocol. The formula follows:

“The Bremen and Bremerhaven enclave as described will be under complete American control including military government but will be generally administered as a subdistrict of a larger British-controlled area. It is understood that the American military government will conform to the general policies pursued in the administration of the larger district subject always to the right of the American commander to vary the administration of the enclave in any particular that he may find necessary on military grounds.

“The United States interest in transit passage from the Bremen area to the southwestern zone is so dominant and the British interest in possible movement through the American zone to Austria so evident that obligation to carry stores and personnel for the one Government through the zone controlled by the other is mutually recognized. To better achieve responsible service, it is proposed that each military zone commander will accept a deputy controller of movement and transport from the other to assist in the coordination of the movement and transport involved in such essential traffic.”

We will have large army deep in enemy country with a great redeployment problem to deal with. It is vital therefore that we have the full use of the port which in turn involves authority over labor, telephone traffic and other communication systems within the area. There is no half way point of control that can be worked out, certainly not at high level. In view of our predominant and important interest as well as of the fact that we relinquished control of the northwest zone on this condition real control is essential. As Halifax and Macready are in accord we hope that matter can now be quickly disposed of on above basis.

Stettinius
H. F. M[atthews]