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

840.4016/11–1545: Telegram

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

Berlin, November 15, 1945—11 a.m.
[Received 9:30 p.m.]

1015. POW and DP Directorate in meeting November 13 adopted plan for transfer of German populations from Czecho, Poland, Hungary, and Austria. Plan was advanced by Soviet member but was outgrowth and based largely on a previously submitted US project. Plan provides for scheduled, regular and orderly movements of German populations beginning December 1, 1945 and extending through July, 1946. Under it Germans from Poland (estimated at 3,500,000) would be accepted into Soviet (2 million) and Britain (1,500,000) zones. Those from Czecho, Hungary, and Austria (estimated at 3,150,000) would be transferred to Soviet (750,000 from Czecho alone) US (2,250,000) and French (150,000). So far as transfer into British zone is concerned this will begin only when 1 for 1 refugee exchange now in process between British and Soviet zones is completed, which British member anticipates at present rate will not extend beyond Dec. 1. It was further agreed that because of difficult food situation in France and in French zone, French would not be committed to accept German populations prior to April 15, 1946. It is proposed that Govts of Czecho and Poland and Allied Control Commissions in Hungary and Austria shall be advised of plan when it is approved and is ready for operation.

Plan must be approved by Coordinating Committee prior to implementation. It is hoped latter will act at its meeting November 16.⁷²

French position represents an about face from that maintained in POW and DP Directorate meeting November 10. In plan as originally presented, French zone was allotted quota of 650,000 Germans from Czecho and Austria. At that time French member stated he was authorized to accept 250,000 German refugees now in US zone who formerly were domiciled in French zone, but would be unable to accept any further German populations from any source. Soviet member proposed that French allocation be distributed between the Soviet and US zones, 500,000 from Czecho to former and 150,000 from Austria to latter. This compromise patently was worked out in advance and French member eloquently supported it as “a good business proposition” wherein the US zone would relinquish 250,000 persons and receive only 150,000 persons. US member stated he was unable to accept the Soviet amendment because resettlement of German populations in Germany was a quadripartite responsibility and was completely separate from transfer of German refugees from one zone to another within Germany. He stated his opposition was not based upon numbers involved but upon principle of quadripartite participation in German affairs. French remained adamant in their point of view, however, and November 10 meeting closed with agreement by all concerned to seek new instructions and to reconvene on November 13 further to discuss the basic plan.

In latter meeting original US position was maintained with intent of throwing matter into Coordinating Committee for reconciliation, but French acceptance of 150,000 Germans from Austria made cut possible solution of impasse within POW and DP Directorate.^72a Soviet and US members agreed to accept equally in their respective zones the remaining 500,000 German population from Czecho.

Sent to Dept as 1015, repeated to Warsaw as 82, to Prague as 64, to AusPolAd as 35, and US Representative, Budapest, as 11.

Murphy

72. In his undated telegram 1049 (received November 19), the United States Political Adviser for Germany reported on the 21st meeting of the Coordinating Committee, held November 17. At this meeting, the Coordinating Committee accepted and referred to the next meeting of the Allied Control Council the report of the Prisoners of War and Displaced Persons Directorate providing for an orderly and phased transfer of German populations from Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Austria (740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–1945).

    In his telegram 1066, November 21, 11 a.m., the United States Political Adviser for Germany reported on the 12th meeting of the Allied Control Council which, inter alia, approved the report on the transfer of populations and agreed to immediate publicity for the report which was to be forwarded formally to the governments of Czechoslovakia and Poland and to the Allied Control Councils for Austria and Hungary (740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–2145).

73. Sentence apparently garbled.