740.00119 Control (Germany)/5–2645: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
4216. Dept is much concerned over delay in issuance of the declaration on Germany and establishment of the Control Council. Brit Emb on May 24 presented memo of which following is a summary.
[Here follows summary of aide-mémoire printed on page 304.]
We immediately discussed foregoing with War Dept and made following oral reply to Brit Emb the same day:89
US agrees to paragraphs 1 to 5, inch If the phrase “outstanding questions” in paragraph 6 means all questions outstanding with the Soviet Govt (including the Polish question), US does not agree. Brit Emb promised clarification on this point. US prepared to defer withdrawal into zones for a short period in endeavor to work out arrangements suggested in paragraphs 7 and 8, but feels strongly that the CC90 should be established immediately. However, if Soviet Govt insists upon the execution of the zonal agreement on Germany, US Govt will not hold up withdrawal into zones indefinitely. US Govt suggests that instead of approach to Soviet and French Govts by Brit Govt on proposals in paragraphs 3 and 4 (see last sentence of paragraph 9) these questions be discussed as soon as possible in EAC.
With reference to paragraph 10, US Govt agrees that issuance of declaration and establishment of CC need not necessarily involve the immediate dissolution of SHAEF. However, this transitional period should be of very short duration and only long enough to effect the disposition of the forces into the zones. US concurs re paragraph 11 above. As Brit Govt has not yet replied to our suggestions and as this matter is of great urgency, you are instructed to take up the entire question in EAC as a matter of prime importance and attempt to work out plans for the issuance of the declaration and establishment of the CC at the earliest possible date.
Please report fully to Dept on developments.
Repeated to Paris for Caffery and Murphy as 2351, and Moscow as 1160.
[Between May 26 and June 6, 1945, Harry L. Hopkins, Special Assistant to President Truman, conferred with Marshal Stalin in Moscow upon matters under consideration between the Governments of the United States and the Soviet Union, including the establishment [Page 309] of control machinery for Germany and the dismemberment of Germany. For documentation regarding the Hopkins Mission to Moscow, see Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), volume I, pages 24–62. See also Robert E. Sherwood, Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History (New York, Harper & Brothers, 1948, 1950), chapter xxxv.]