Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–2545

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Director of the Office of European Affairs (Matthews)

Paris, April 25, 1945.

Dear Doc: I am sure that the Department shares to a degree at least the apprehension of some of us over here regarding Soviet intentions in respect of the administration of Germany after occupation. The conviction seems to be growing on this side that they want to exclude other Allied representatives from the Soviet zone of occupation as completely as possible. It may be difficult, as a result, to protect whatever American citizens and property there may be in that zone, much less to follow developments in the zone or to ensure that Control Council policies are actually carried out. I can imagine how carefully you are all following the Soviet action in transferring administrative power over German territory to both the Provisional Polish Government⁷⁴ and to the Free Germany Movement.⁷⁵

As matters now rest with the US Group CC which for months has been urging to the extent of its ability contact with Russian representatives, we have had thus far no assistance from the Soviet Union and no indication of a real intention on their part to operate as an effective element of the Control Council. On the other hand, the data which the Department sends to us in the Information Series regarding what is happening in Rumania, Bulgaria⁷⁶ and elsewhere is not encouraging.

In a recent conversation with Bogomolov⁷⁷ it was obvious that while he might possess but little information regarding Russian operations in Eastern occupied Germany, it was clear that they are operating on a unilateral basis.

The occupation by our forces of a considerable portion of the Soviet zone gives us an improved bargaining position. However, it is the intention of our military authorities to evacuate the Russian zone as soon as deployment becomes militarily practicable. I gather that a British view presented to General Eisenhower was to the effect that we should not be in a hurry to withdraw our troops. I believe that General Eisenhower’s tendency is to avoid any conflict with the Russian forces and to disapprove the British suggestion for practical reasons relating to occupational burdens, the vast problem connected with the care of displaced persons, military governments, etc.

I hope that we may have some agreeable surprises when we actually come to grips with the problem in Germany and are placed in contact with our Russian opposite numbers. I am confident that some of the doubt and misunderstanding may be cleared up if nothing happens to interfere with direct contact.

As you know, one of the burning issues is the care of Russian displaced persons⁷⁸ of whom possibly one or two millions will fall into our hands. I find that our SHAEF officers have cooperated loyally with the Soviet representatives engaged in displaced persons duty. Of 437 repatriation officers now operating out of SHAEF, 192 are Soviet. Recently the Soviet Government stated it would soon make available an additional 300. drawn principally from liberated citizens. The Soviet Military Mission under General Dragun, accredited to the French Government, receives full and effective cooperation from SHAEF authorities. This cooperation has at times been attended by difficulties resulting from unauthorized visits by Soviet officers to military zones, exhortation to Soviet displaced persons not to obey any authority but Soviet, etc. but lately this situation has vastly improved.

Yours ever,

Bob

74. For documentation regarding the interest of the United States in the determination of the frontiers of Poland and the transfer to Poland of administrative authority over German territory, see vol. v, pp. 110 ff.
75. Soviet-sponsored organization of German prisoners of war held in the Soviet Union. For documentation regarding this subject, see pp. 1033 ff.
76. For documentation regarding the participation by the United States in the Allied Control Councils for Bulgaria and Rumania, see vol. iv, pp. 135 ff. and vol. v, pp. 464 ff., respectively.
77. Alexander Efremovich Bogomolov, Soviet Ambassador in France.
78. For documentation regarding Russian displaced persons, see vol. v, pp. 1067 ff.