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

863.5018/12–845: Telegram

The United States Military Commissioner in Austria (Clark) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff ⁴¹

Salzburg, December 8, 1945.

P 7627. At meeting Executive Committee 4 December discussion on reply to Renner’s appeal of 5 November for economic assistance⁴² developed clearly national positions on food supply. US position as outlined War 8589⁴³ of 292237Z. British position generally in agreement with United States.

2. French stated they had agreed to supply their area in Vienna on 1550 basis but not in their zone outside Vienna where calory scale is now about 1200, of which two thirds is supplied by French, remainder from indigenous resources. Soviets stated their understanding that four powers had accepted responsibility for supplying Vienna on basis of 1550 but that there was no agreed responsibility to provide food for zones outside of Vienna and that deficiencies in zones must be supplied by Austria from her own resources.

3. All agreed aid from UNRRA essential on emergency basis and at earliest possible moment and directed cable be prepared to UNRRA setting forth situation and urgency and asking emergency assistance with food to start before 1 February if possible. On US insistence agreed if UNRRA came in it would have free access to areas where it distributed supplies.

4. On broad question food supplies Soviet submitted draft resolution critical of Austrian Government’s exploitation and distribution of indigenous resources and directing implementation of food program. This resolution also included statement that Allied Council considers Austrian population can and must be fed out of its own resources until 1 March 1946. Britain and US refused to accept resolution and it was sent to Economic Directorate for reconsideration and redrafting.

5. Obvious from this meeting and subcommittee discussion that future French food imports except for Vienna unlikely and that Russians will not supply in future except for Vienna.

6. Prompt assistance from UNRRA appears best solution to previous serious shortage lower Austria.

41. This telegram was also sent for information to the Secretary of State.
42. A copy of Dr. Rentier’s appeal was forwarded to the Department under cover of despatch 455, November 10, from the Political Adviser in Vienna, neither printed.
43. This telegram from the War Department to General Clark, November 29, 1945, stated that both the War Department and State Department strongly supported the view that the ration scale in the U.S. zone of Austria should not be lowered to supply foodstuffs for the Russian zone. The U.S. should not import additional supplies into Austria for the Russian zone, and U.S. authorities should insist that the Soviets must maintain the agreed ration scale in their zone. Since the Council of Foreign Ministers had agreed to a ration scale of 1550 calories, the State Department felt that discussion of the question for the present should be limited to the Allied Commission level. (Vienna Legation Files, 1945–Tod Secret File)