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

740.00119 EAC/6–1945: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London, June 19, 1945—5 p.m.
[Received June 19—12:25 p.m.]

6193. Comea 290. Mytel 6102, June 16; repeated Paris 372. I have been considering French memo re zone in Germany. I agree with Caffery that French are now eager to complete agreement (Paris 3664, June 18 to Dept; repeated London 437).^49a I believe French will yield demand re Karlsruhe Bezirk provided we give some recognition of willingness later to review assignment of area for French occupation.

It would I believe be undesirable include in zones agreement provision for revision as proposed in para 2 Massigli’s memo June 16.⁵⁰ French anxiety to have written recognition US willingness later to review the zones could be allayed by stating in letter policy set forth in Deptel 4561, June 7 (repeated Paris 2602).⁵¹ I suggest for consideration by Dept following draft letter which might be addressed by me to Massigli on signature of revised zones agreement:

“In signing today on behalf of my Govt, the revised draft agreement on zones of occupation in Germany and the administration of Greater Berlin, recommended to the four Govts by the EAC, I wish to inform you, on instruction of my Govt, that my Govt will be prepared, at a later stage in the Allied occupation of Germany, to review with the Provisional Govt of the French Republic the assignment of areas of occupation between the French and US zones, in the light of the then prevailing conditions of occupation and the requirements of the respective forces of occupation. I am sending copies of this letter to Soviet and UK representatives.”

I believe unwise press French to occupy southern Württemberg. Great obstacles would confront population of Württemberg in reconstructing regional political life if this compact territory, with its formerly strong liberal traditions, is arbitrarily divided between ITS and French zones of occupation. Territorial division of Württemberg between zones runs counter to policy of promoting political decentralization and development of local political responsibility as set forth in memo of Mar 23⁵² and revised JCS 1067.⁵³ In telephone conversation today Murphy concurred strongly this view.

Sent Dept as 6193; repeated Paris 380, for Caffery and Murphy.

Winant

1. Not printed.
50. See telegram 6102, June 16, 4 p.m., from London, supra.
51. Not printed, but see footnote 36, p. 332.
52. For text of the memorandum regarding American policy for the treatment of Germany, dated March 23, see p. 471.
53. For text of the directive to Commander in Chief of U.S. (U.K.) (U.S.S.R.) forces of occupation regarding the military government of Germany in the period immediately following the cessation of organized resistance (post-defeat), dated January 6, see p. 378.