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

862.515/8–245: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)

Washington, August 2, 1945—5 p.m.

3630. French Emb expressed again to Dept French concern re disposal of gold found in Germany, particularly Belgian gold held by Bank of France and looted by Germany.⁴⁰ Dept was asked for assurances that view General Clay⁴¹ reportedly expressed in conversation with Rueff⁴² (urtel 3862, June 27⁴³) that gold found in Germany be used to pay for supplies imported to Germany did not reflect policy of this Government.

Emb assured that this statement imputed to General Clay did not represent the views of this Government, that question of disposition of this gold receiving urgent consideration and that this Government hoped soon to make known its views re disposal of this gold.

Repeated to USPolAd, Frankfurt as 212.

Grew

40. This gold had been transferred at the beginning of the war by the Bank of Belgium to the Bank of France for safekeeping. Following the defeat of France, the Germans had compelled the French to surrender it. After liberation, the Bank of France assigned to the Bank of Belgium part of its gold holdings pending the restitution to Belgium of its looted gold. This explanation was given to Mr. Despres by M. Berard in a conversation of July 6 (740.00119 EW/7–645).
41. Lt. Gen. Lucius Clay, Deputy Military Governor, U.S. Zone in Germany; also Commanding General, U.S. Group, Allied Control Council for Germany, and Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Forces, European Theater.
42. Jacques Rueff, French Inspector General of Finances, and Chief, French Economic Commission for German Affairs.
43. Not printed.