740.00119 Control (Germany)/9–2245

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

586. General Clay has spoken to me about the matter of channels for instructions from our Government to the United States Group Control Council. He has noted a tendency for the Department of State recently to send instructions through me as a channel and he believes that this practice is confusing and bound to lead to difficulties. I have been very frank with him in stating that I try to keep the Department promptly and fully informed of the United States Group’s activities and he is in entire accord that I should. When I telegraph the Department about a given subject I suppose that it is only natural for it to reply in the form of an instruction. However, in the interest of harmony I think that it would be best for the [Page 965] Department, if you agree, to handle instructions regarding major policy matters especially through the War Department to Clay. You will fully understand the sensitivity that exists regarding jurisdiction. I feel that our present relationship is excellent and I am perfectly willing to go along with Clay on the basis he suggests.

Murphy