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

740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–1845: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

Paris, December 18, 1945—9 p.m.
[Received 10:31 p.m.]

7242. A friendly Foreign Office Official tells me in confidence that when Alphand saw Molotov⁹⁰ several days ago to discuss French proposals for the Ruhr and the Rhineland, Molotov took no definite position but told Alphand that while Russia is sympathetic to French desire for security he would have to study the memorandum which Alphand had given him. In so far as the Ruhr is concerned, Molotov expressed no direct opposition to the idea of internationalization but made it clear that Russia’s primary concern is that the Ruhr should not in any way serve to bolster a western bloc to which the Soviets are definitely opposed. My informant implied that Molotov also made it clear that should the Ruhr be internationalized Russia would expect to participate actively in not only the International Control Commission but in the administration of the Ruhr. Molotov concluded his conversation with Alphand by saying that the Soviets would study the French proposals.⁹¹ Foreign Ministry interprets this to mean that Molotov will take this matter up at the Big Three Conference in Moscow before making a reply to the French.

In connection with the French proposals for the Ruhr and Rhineland, officials in the Foreign Ministry say they are considerably upset over a telegram from Berlin stating that General Clay has informed General Koeltz that the United States has decided to proceed with a central administration for the three zones (US, British and Soviet) as soon as possible: that the British have agreed to go along with us on this matter if the Soviets agree: and that “the first thing Secretary Byrnes will take up in Moscow is the question of a central administration for the three zones”. The French allege that this last statement “would seem to contradict assurances given that questions relating to French interests will not be discussed at Moscow”. The Foreign Ministry requested informally whether we had any information tending to confirm the statement attributed to General Clay. We replied that we had heard nothing about it.

Sent to Department as 7242; repeated to Moscow as 451.

Caffery

90. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
91. In telegram 7365, December 27, from Paris, Ambassador Caffery reported further information from a friendly Foreign Office official. On the last occasion when Alphand saw Molotov the latter informed him “that before the Soviet decision could be made the Russians ‘would have to consult the British to ascertain the British views.’” (740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–2745)