740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–2245
The Secretary of War (Patterson) to the Acting Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: With reference to our conversation on 18 December 1945 regarding the organization in Washington which will handle military government after it passes to civilian control, I should like to reiterate my belief that such organization will function satisfactorily only under the aegis of the Department of State.
The President in his approval of General Eisenhower’s letter of 26 October90 emphasized the American principle of keeping the Army out of civil government. The Army cannot be separated from the War Department, and the participation of either in government of [Page 1020] occupied countries violates the real meaning of the civilianization which is the expressed wish of the President.91 It is clear to me that the President contemplates the withdrawal of the War Department as well as its components from the Military Government of Germany just as soon as this function can be turned over to civilians and civilian agencies of our government.
I am convinced that an organization under the policy guidance of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee would be unsatisfactory. It would transform the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee from a purely policy body into an operating agency. It would create in our Federal Government a new operating agency at a time when the President is striving to reduce the number of such independent bodies. But the fundamental objection is that the proposed set-up fails to carry out the President’s purpose of wholly civilianizing military government. The State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee is and will continue to be two-thirds military, and an operating agency under the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee could not possibly be considered a civilian administration.
The recruitment of high-caliber personnel needed for this important service will be extremely difficult now that the period of the emergency is popularly believed to have passed. It can hardly be accomplished without the backing and prestige of an established department of the government.
By his memorandum of 30 August 1945, the President conferred upon the Secretary of State sole authority in matters relating to the policy to be followed in the Military Government of Germany and Austria. Any agency outside of the Department of State which is designated to administer the military government of those countries will thereby have responsibility without authority, and its ability to discharge its duties efficiently will be materially and inescapably impaired.
It is not the intention nor the desire of the War Department to withdraw abruptly from its present responsibilities for the Military Government of Germany. Civilianization of the Office of Military Government in Germany is in progress. A plan has been drawn for the establishment of a German branch in the Civil Affairs Division, and for its transfer at the proper time to whatever agency is to assume responsibility for the government of Germany. Both here and abroad the transfer will be one of going concerns. The logistical and communications facilities of the War Department will continue to be available in support of whatever agency is to administer military government abroad.
[Page 1021]If you should decide to lay before the President the question of this responsibility, I should appreciate the opportunity of accompanying you.
Sincerely yours,