740.00119 EAC/1–1945

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt 30

There is attached hereto a copy of my memorandum of November 25, 194431 recommending that you approve the agreement reached in the European Advisory Commission with regard to control machinery for Germany.

The members of the Commission were formally notified of the approval of this agreement by the British Government on December 5, 194432 and similar approval by the Soviet Government is expected momentarily. It is, therefore, a matter of the utmost urgency that Ambassador Winant be advised forthwith whether this basic document has the approval of the United States, if we are to avoid placing ourselves in an embarrassing position in the European Advisory Commission. It is for this reason that I urge you to give me your decision on this agreement at your earliest convenience.

The Secretary of War and the Secretary of Navy33 in a letter dated December 27, 1944,34 which was received by the Department of State on January 5, 1945, have recommended its approval.

E. E. Stettinius, Jr.
  1. Returned to the Secretary of State on January 23 with the marginal note: “E.R.S. Jr. O.K. F.D.R.”
  2. Conferences at Malta and Yalta, p. 124
  3. See telegram 10752, December 5, 1944, from London, Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. i, p. 415
  4. Henry L. Stimson and James V. Forrestal, respectively
  5. Post, p. 175