740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–2645
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 10.]
Sir: I have the honor to call the attention of the Department to an article from Weekly Intelligence Summary No. 16, Office of Military Government (U.S. Zone) for the period ending 11 November 1945. The article is of interest because it purports to show the continued anti-American attitude of German civilians. It is quoted below:
“The security situation is somewhat unstable and potentially dangerous. Posters vilifying the United States, denouncing Military Government policies, and threatening United States officials have appeared in various places. The number of incidents reflecting hostility to the American forces is increasing. Less is heard against fraternization, [Page 1008] and more opposition is reported to evictions of Germans from their homes and to the operation of Law No. 8.”70
“It is possible that the trend toward increased boldness will gather momentum in the near future due to the return of released prisoners of war, hardships of winter, nutritional deficiencies, and widespread unemployment coupled with the thinning out of our occupation forces and the proposed withdrawals of Military Government and Counter Intelligence Corps Detachments from all but the larger towns.”
“It should be borne in mind that large segments of the population have not had a change of heart. These people continue to hate all democratic institutions and believe that Military Government was established to reduce all Germans to abject poverty to further our own selfish aims. They have become more bitter as denazification progresses and are frantically searching for some loophole through which to escape their compromised past. A resurgence of German national feeling is also notable together with a desire to compare Nazi regimentation and efficiency with the present unsettled state of affairs during the transition. Regardless of their personal sympathies, Germans now tend to be uncooperative in giving information and support each other in elaborate schemes to nullify Military Government measures, to intercede between business associates, and to prevent the collection of evidence in cases of Counter Intelligence interest, reaching a degree of solidarity hitherto unknown.”
Respectfully yours,