862.00/12–2745
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 15, 1946.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a report96 furnished me by my representative in Munich, Mr. Parker W. Buhrman, which reviews an article published in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, of Munich, written by Minister-President Wilhelm Hoegner on the subject of “Federalism, Unitarism or Separatism”.
Dr. Hoegner’s views speak for themselves. This is another of several public expressions he has made on this question. Up to the present time his is perhaps the leading voice in Germany for a federal [Page 1023] state. It is clear from his own words how deeply influenced he has been in this matter by his residence in Switzerland.
Dr. Hoegner’s views on the question of federalism are at variance with those of most other Social Democrats and of the Communists. The idea of federalism has been vigorously, one might almost say viciously, attacked in the Russian-dominated Berlin press. This press, together with the leaders of the Communist and Social Democratic parties in the Soviet Zone, has been campaigning for some time in favor of a “united Germany”, and it is clear that this idea, which though vaguely expressed can only mean a unitary as against a federal state, has the blessing at present of the Soviet authorities. The polemics against the idea of federalism, which is only occasionally attached to the name of Dr. Hoegner, proceed on the assumption that federalism means separatism. It will be seen from the attached report, however, that Minister-President Hoegner is very careful to differentiate between these ideas and to renounce separatism most explicitly. It remains to be seen whether his enthusiasm for federalism, a governmental form which administrative developments in our zone have favored and which is well adapted to our policy of decentralization, will meet with any widespread enthusiasm or response among German political leaders. The prospects to date are not particularly encouraging.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩