740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–2645
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to President Truman
The Informal Policy Committee on Germany22 is presenting to you, for your approval, a revised directive for the military government of Germany prepared on the basis of the policy memorandum of March 23, which was approved by President Roosevelt. The memorandum of March 23 has been introduced into the European Advisory Commission by Ambassador Winant for negotiation as a protocol of agreement [Page 484] with the U.K., the U.S.S.R. and France. Copies of the memorandum of March 23 and the revised directive are attached.23
In the opinion of the committee the revised directive embodies policies and measures which faithfully carry out the principles set forth in the memorandum of March 23. The committee believes that this directive furnishes the basis for effective initial action to prevent Germany from again becoming a threat to world peace.
The revised directive is being submitted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for consideration from the military point of view. Thereafter it will be transmitted to General Eisenhower as the basic instrument for the initial post-defeat period in Germany. The directive is designed to serve a dual purpose in that it will give him this Government’s policy as formulated to date for his guidance as American member of the Control Council in Germany and will likewise guide him in the administration of the U.S. zone.
If you approve, the Informal Policy Committee on Germany will continue, under your direction, to develop basic policies of this Government for the treatment of Germany, including the pending matter of reparation.