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

740.00119 control (Germany)/12–2945: Telegram

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

Frankfurt, December 29, 1945—11 a.m.
[Received 3:55 p.m.]

211. In an undated letter⁹⁹ “calling attention to the detrimental situation to French occupational forces and the citizens of Baden caused by the American occupation of Karlsruhe,” General Koenig¹ wrote General McNarney² suggesting that discussions be initiated for the inclusion of Karlsruhe and the remaining part of Baden within the French occupation zone. General Koenig mentioned that in conversations with General Eisenhower he had formed the opinion that the U.S. authorities were prepared to give up Karlsruhe at the end of the winter when the port of Bremen would be ready to care for traffic to the American zone.

It was agreed in USFET that the French request should be rejected for the following reasons: A concession of this kind would be inopportune in view of French intransigence on the establishment of central German agencies; cession of the territory would have a detrimental effect upon the program for the holding of local German elections; and the port of Karlsruhe is still necessary from a G–4 point of view for the handling of supplies for the American zone and accordingly General McNarney on December 26³ addressed a letter to General Koenig stating that he was unable to begin direct negotiations with respect to a change in zonal boundaries and recommending that the normal diplomatic channel be employed. General McNarney added that the port of Bremen has yet to reach the point where both redeployment and imports can be handled for the entire US zone.

Sent to Department repeated to Paris as [unnumbered?] from Frankfurt.

Murphy

99. In a note from the French Ambassador (Bonnet) to the Secretary of State, January 31, 1946, the date December 10, 1945, was assigned to the letter under reference (740.00119 Control (Germany)/1–3146).
1. Lt. Gen. Marie-Pierre Koenig, Commander in Chief, French Forces of Occupation in Germany.
2. Gen. Joseph T. McNarney had succeeded General Eisenhower as Commanding General, USFET, U.S. member on the Control Council, and U.S. Military Governor for Germany.
3. In the French Ambassador’s note of January 31, 1946, to the Secretary of State, the date December 27, 1945, was assigned to the letter under reference.