Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

740.00119 Control (Germany)/10–2445: Telegram

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

Berlin, October 24, 1945—11 a.m.
[Received 2:25 p.m.]

834. Reference Department’s 694, October 19, 4 p.m. relative introduction of Czechoslovak delegation to discuss population transfer.

1. Information contained in Praha’s 368, Sept 20, 7 p.m. and 417, October 3, 5 p.m. to Dept has been brought to attention of POW and DP Division, OMGUS,⁵⁷ and has entered into discussions in POW and DP Directorate, ACA (Armament Control Administration [Allied Control Authority]), on repatriation of German populations outside of Germany. As the Dept is aware arrangements are now in process regarding resettlement of German nationals within Germany including those in Austria. The latter now have priority as a direct result of plea of General Eisenhower in Control Council⁵⁸ which was made under WD⁵⁹ instructions.

2. Some informal and unofficial return into the American zone of Reichsdeutsche from Czechoslovakia is understood to be under way and undoubtedly will increase as repatriation of Polish displaced persons from Germany is accelerated. According to a statement made by General Sokolovsky in the Coordinating Committee large numbers of Sudeten Germans are coming into the Soviet zone of occupation. POW and DP Directorate has laid down principle that, regardless of priorities established, no rail transportation shall be wasted and as Polish displaced persons are repatriated across Czecholovakia, returning trains can pick up Reichsdeutsche for return to Germany.

3. For orderly transfer of populations it will be necessary that Kreis of origin of Reichsdeutsche under reference be known. Transportation mentioned in paragraph 2 originates and terminates in United States and French zones which already have surplus German refugee population. United States military effort in repatriating displaced persons has been to reduce to minimum dependent population in United States zone before winter.

4. Reference my 46, October 10, 7 p.m. to Praha, repeated to Dept. as 739. Political Directorate, ACA, was instructed on October 22 by Secretariat to notify Czech Govt that it was authorized to send into Germany as part of its military mission three members to discuss population transfers. Actually authorization has already been informally delivered in that French member of POW and DP Directorate delivered a copy of authorization to an unnamed Czech envoy passing through Berlin en route to Praha some time before Oct 19. It is opinion of POW and DP Division that Czech delegates may already be on way to Berlin. Under these circumstances it is believed that many, if not all, of difficult issues involved in expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia will soon be in process toward acceptable solution.

5. No objection is perceived to Dept bringing matter to attention of Foreign Offices in London, Paris and Moscow. It is believed more practicable, however, that an attempt be made first to settle these problems with Czech delegation in Berlin through POW and DP Directorate with appeal to Foreign Offices being a resort in case local negotiations do not progress satisfactorily.

6. Brig. General Stanley R. Mickelsen, director, POW and DP Division, OMGUS, is United States member on POW and DP Directorate. He and his staff are in constant consultation with my office and a member of my staff attends POW and DP Directorate meetings in advisory capacity only.

Sent to Dept as 834, repeated to Praha as 53.

Murphy

57. Prisoners of War and Displaced Persons Division, Office of Military Government for Germany (US).
58. In his telegram 666, October 2, 1945, noon, the United States Political Adviser for Germany reported on the seventh meeting of the Allied Control Council for Germany, held on October 1. In the course of this meeting, General Eisenhower, the American member of the Council, raised the question of the return to Germany of the 150,000 or more Reich Germans in the United States zone of Austria and stated that the question was becoming critical in Austria and needed speedy consideration. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/10–2445)
59. War Department.