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

740.00119 EAC/6–545: Telegram

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State ²⁵

Frankfurt, 6 June 1945.

FWD²⁶ 23680. Prior to the meeting in Berlin, Vishinski²⁷ sent Simonev²⁸ to me to discuss what he termed several discrepancies in the Soviet Foreign Office text of the Four Power Declaration. Our delegation had with us the texts of the Declaration prepared by EAC in the English, Russian, French and German languages which we exhibited but the Soviet representative maintained nevertheless that the text which they had was the official version. The discussion narrowed down to the word “Nationals” in article 10 which the Russians claimed should read “freight”. After consultation with General Eisenhower the Russians were informed that if Marshal Zhukov²⁹ desired to make a marginal notation in this regard there would be no objection.

I later discussed this point with Vishinski and Marshal Zhukov and the former admitted that what was bothering them was the realization that this word in article 10 would require the arrest and detention of any Japanese civilians found in the Soviet zone and as the document becomes public it would be the cause of embarrassment. I told them that we would of course be very happy if such a declaration were published whereupon Vishinski replied with a smile “That is for a later declaration!”

It was finally agreed with General Eisenhower’s approval and that of the British and French delegations that the word “Nationals” in article 10 would be deleted prior to signature and the following notation made at the foot of the document [:“] The word ‘Nationals’ has been omitted in article 10 pending a check.” It was obvious that without some such provision the Soviet representative would not sign.

The declaration was signed at approximately 6 PM Berlin time and there followed a short meeting of the four representatives to discuss the ways and means of establishing the Control Council. This will be reported subsequently except to mention here that Marshal Zhukov make [made] it abundantly clear that disposition of the troops into their respective zones is a Soviet sine qua non to the operation of the Control Council.

[Murphy]

25. This message was sent from SHAEF to the War Department via military channels and was repeated to Ambassador Winant in London and Ambassador Harriman in Moscow.
26. Military communications indicator.
27. Andrey Yanuaryevich Vyshinsky, First Deputy People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
28. Vladimir Semenovich Semenov.
29. Marshal of the Soviet Union, Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov. By an order dated June 9, 1945, Marshal Zhukov was made Supreme Chief of the Soviet Military Administration, Commander in Chief of the Soviet Forces of Occupation in Germany.