740.00119 Control (Germany)/8–2345

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Chief of the Division of Central European Affairs (Riddleberger)

Dear Jim: With reference to the query in your note of July 31,92 I might say at the outset that there is no intention to establish central German administrative agencies except in the fields of finance, transport, communications, foreign trade, and industry. I regret the looseness of the wording of A–92,93 July 16. It may have given the impression that a Reich Ministry for Ecclesiastical Affairs was being contemplated.

[Page 866]

You may be interested to know that our various telegrams and airgrams for data regarding German personalities arose from the following:

Some time ago, Gen. Clay instructed all divisions and offices of the US Group CC to submit names of competent and trustworthy Germans who might be considered for advisory or administrative positions at top levels. Manpower Division was the first one to take action, and before sending the names to Gen. Clay, inquired of the Political Division for further suggestions in the way of additional names and all data we might have on hand regarding the persons proposed. Thereupon a telegram was sent to the Department (my 135, July 9, 7 p.m.94), and the reply received within 48 hours was so helpful that the inter-divisional committee charged with making up the overall list asked if we couldn’t get similar suggestions and indications from the Department in all the other fields of governmental activities. (My 171, July 16, noon,94 followed.)

You may appreciate that there are no records available to us today in Germany regarding the past activities of many Germans, except information obtained from German ministerial, Party and organization records that have come into our hands. The Embassy and consular records throughout Germany are mostly extinct. I have therefore put out the suggestion that before Germans are considered for senior advisory or administrative positions, unless known to be absolutely trustworthy, inquiry be made of Washington as to what information may be on hand there regarding their past activities. By clearing through the Department as we have been doing in these cases, information of all the United States intelligence agencies is brought forth through the machinery of the inter-departmental intelligence organizations.

Sincerely yours,

Bob
  1. The U.S. Political Adviser’s office was established in Berlin, August 9, 1945.
  2. Not found in Department files.
  3. Not printed; in this airgram Mr. Murphy submitted to the Department, for checking, the names of Germans “who might be satisfactory as holders of important positions in a reconstituted Reich government.” (740.00119 Control (Germany)/7–1645)
  4. Not printed.
  5. Not printed.