740.00119 Control (Germany)/6–2145: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State 55
[Received June 21—6:30 a.m.]
22. From London Embassy’s tel Comea 288,55a repeated to me, it appears that the French in ostensibly accepting our proposal regarding their zone in Germany have in fact requested the additional area [Page 343] of Karlsruhe south of the railway Bruchsal Mühlacker. I interpret the comments made by Ambassador Caffery in his 3595, June 15, 6 p.m. to the Dept as being based on the assumption that the French had wholeheartedly accepted our proposal. In view of continued French bargaining in this question, I reiterate the recommendation I expressed in my 3543, June 14, 11 a.m. that we retain the Kreis Lindau to permit us direct access to Switzerland.
The additional reason suggests itself that with a view to encouraging local sentiment and confirming established administrative practice, we should retain in our zone as much of the Laender in their historical identity as is practicable. This is a point which does not seem to have been taken into account in the formulation of our offer to the French which was approved here, purely from the standpoint of military requirements. I infer from Ambassador Winant’s message that apart from Kreis Friedrichshafen the French do not seek to occupy the remaining districts in South Württemberg and I am of the opinion that our interest in keeping to the traditional local state forms requires at least that we do not insist upon the French accepting the additional districts in South Württemberg.
Copy to Paris, repeated to London as No. 2.
- In the early part of June 1945, the Mission of the United States Political Adviser for Germany was moved to Hoechst, a suburb of Frankfurt in Germany, the new location of SHAEF Main. Starting on June 18, all telegraphic messages from the Mission emanated from Hoechst.↩
- Telegram 6102, June 16, p. 340.↩