740.00119 EAC/12–2744
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United
Kingdom (Winant)
No. 5023
Washington, January 25,
1945.
With reference to the Department’s telegram No. 502 of January 23, 1
p.m., informing the Ambassador of the approval by this Government of the
agreement reached in the European Advisory Commission for control
machinery for Germany, the Secretary of State encloses herewith a copy
of a letter addressed to the Secretary by the Secretary of War and the
Secretary of the Navy under date of December 27, 194.
It will be observed that both the Secretary of War and the Secretary of
the Navy recommended approval of the agreement for control machinery. In
addition, they set forth their views on the course of planning for the
occupation of Germany under the agreement, with the suggestion that they
be placed before the governments of the United Kingdom and the
U.S.S.R.37
The Ambassador will note that the final approval of this Government of
the agreement for control machinery for Germany is given without
reservation. The views of the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the
Navy are submitted for the Ambassador’s information and guidance and for
informal discussion with the members of the European Advisory
Commission. These views are not, however, to
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be considered as reservations of this Government
to the control machinery agreement as recommended by the Commission.
[Enclosure]
The Secretary of War (Stimson) and the Secretary of the
Navy (Forrestal) to the Secretary of State38
Washington, December 27,
1944.
Dear Mr. Secretary: The Secretary of War
and the Secretary of the Navy have considered the proposed agreement
on control machinery for Germany transmitted by your letters dated
November 25, 194439 and recommend approval of the agreement. However, they
suggest that the Department of State give consideration to the
desirability of expressing the following views to the governments of
the United Kingdom and the U.S.S.R. on the course of planning for
the occupation of Germany under this agreement, at the time that the
United States approval is given:
- 1.
- The United States does not at present consider it probable
that there will be a German government or other central
administrative authority in existence at the time of the
surrender or for a considerable period thereafter, which it
would be practicable or desirable for the Control Council to
deal with as the central German authority or administration.
Planning, therefore, should not proceed solely on the basis
that such an acceptable central authority will exist but
should proceed with full recognition that many different
circumstances may be encountered.
- 2.
- Accordingly, it is desirable that planning be undertaken
on the basis that the Control Council, acting under
instructions from the three governments, will determine, in
the light of conditions as they may exist at the time of
surrender or complete defeat:
-
a.
- What, if any, central administration or
administrative structures in Germany, staffed by
Germans, it is desirable and practicable to permit
to continue;
-
b.
- What, if any, such central administration and
administrative structures, not then existing, it is
desirable to bring into existence; and
-
c.
- The nature and scope of the functions, authority
and operations of any such central administration or
administrative structures.
- 3.
- Although it is highly desirable that agreement be reached
as rapidly as possible on the major policy problems of the
occupation,
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planning for the administration of the several zones must
proceed during the period while such agreement is being
sought. This is necessary because, under the agreement,
subject to any policies which may be agreed upon by the
Control Council and in the absence of agreement on
particular policies, the Commanders in Chief in their
respective zones have full responsibility and will exercise
authority in all matters. Of course to the extent that
agreement in the Control Council is achieved, the agreed
policies of the Control Council will be determinative
throughout the three zones.
- 4.
- To expedite agreement on occupation policies, it is
desirable that each of the three governments promptly
designate at least temporary members of the Control Council
or the Coordinating Committee, as well as the principal
members of the Control Staff, and charge them with
responsibility for formulating and agreeing upon occupation
policies, subject to any agreements upon such policies which
may be reached by the governments concerned, in the European
Advisory Commission or elsewhere.
Sincerely yours,
Henry L. Stimson
Secretary of War
James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
