860F.01/7–345
The Chargé in Czechoslovakia (Klieforth) to the Secretary of State
No. 36
Praha, July 3,
1945.
[Received July 17.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
copies in the original of a note dated June 30 but handed to me on July
2 by Dr. Clementis, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, and of the
Embassy’s reply of July 3, regarding an unfortunate incident involving
the Czechoslovak Vice-Premier, Mr. Viliam Široky, and a soldier of the
U.S. Army, and other alleged “grievances” described as “symptomatic for
the attitude of the U.S. units stationed in Prachatice–Česky Krumlov.”
While the incident occurred on June 24th, it and the other alleged
grievances discussed in the note, with the exception of the food
rations, were not mentioned by President Beneš on June 29th when he
discussed with Major General Harmon,34 commanding the U.S.
forces in Czechoslovakia, “all the differences” between the Czechoslovak
authorities and the American military forces.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure 1]
The Czechoslovak Acting Minister for Foreign
Affairs (Clementis) to the
American Chargé (Klieforth)
My Dear Mr. Klieforth: I should like to
bring to your attention the following matters:
The Czechoslovak Vice-Premier Viliam Široky was a victim of an
unfortunate incident when on his way thru the U. S. zone in
Czechoslovakia/Česky Krumlov–Prachatice area/on June 24th.
[Page 467]
An American soldier policing the cross-roads near Česky Krumlov
failed to make a clear sign in order to stop the Vice-Premier’s car.
He did it at the last moment with rifle directed at the car and its
passengers. When questioned, the soldier admitted he knew the French
language. It was then explained to him in French that the car was
the Czechoslovak Vice-Premier’s and had therefore to proceed further
without any delay. The U.S. soldier in front of some Germans who had
gathered around answered that it did not matter to him, he was an
American soldier /“Moi, je suis un soldat américain”/. He then
ordered the Vice-Premier’s car back, let a German P.W.s35 transport pass and only
later allowed the car to proceed further.
I am afraid that this incident seems to be symptomatic for the
attitude of the U.S. units stationed in Prachatice-Český Krumlov
area. The 26th Inf. Division which was previously stationed in
Austria does not seem to distinguish well between a liberated Allied
and occupied enemy territory. The 26th Division still uses the
Military Government Detachments instead of the Civil Affairs
Detachments, destined for an allied country; the inscriptions of
these detachments are still in English and German only.
It was only after repeated representations with the commanding
general that Czech administrators were allowed to take over instead
of a German Landrat and German Bürgermeister, members of the
NSDAP36 and well-known Czech haters. There are still
instances of some German burgermeisters being allowed to keep their
posts by the U.S. authorities although Czech administrators have
been placed at the disposal of the U.S. authorities. The Czechs are
allowed but exceptionally to exert control over German confiscated
property [factories etc.]. There were instances of social gatherings
where either Germans only or both Germans and Czechs were invited by
U.S. hosts. I feel that it is not only an infringement of the
non-fraternization rule but that such relations between the U.S.
armies and Germans cannot fail to hurt the feelings of our people.
The Germans in the Český Krumlov area receive also, following an
order of the commanding general, higher rations than Germans in
other areas of Czechoslovakia. The local Czech administrators are
thus obliged to infringe a Czechoslovak Law. It is the result of
this attitude that in this particular area of the U.S. zone in
Czechoslovakia the German population is reported to be under the
impression that this region will eventually belong to Austria and
not to the Czechoslovak Republic.
My Government wish me to draw your attention to the mentioned
grievances that exist in the 26th Inf. Division area and to the
unfortunate
[Page 468]
incident
which, I am sure, will be investigated so as to enable the U.S.
authorities to take all steps which are appropriate because of the
Czech Vice-Premier being involved.
I am [etc.]
[Enclosure 2]
The American Chargé (Klieforth) to the Czechoslovak Acting Minister for Foreign
Affairs (Clementis)
Excellency: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your note of June 30, 1945 informing me
of the unfortunate and regrettable incident on June 24th at Česky
Krumlov–Prachatice, of which the Czechoslovak Vice-Premier, His
Excellency, Viliam Široky, was a victim.
Immediately upon the receipt of your note I applied to the Vice
Premier for an appointment which he granted for 11 o’clock a.m. this
morning, and accompanied by Lt. Col. Woldike, the Military Attaché
of the Embassy, I extended to him in the name of my Government my
deep regrets and apologies, which he was good enough to accept. At
the same time I assured him that the U.S. Army authorities have been
asked to take the necessary steps appropriate under the
circumstances.
A copy of your note under acknowledgment with reference to the other
matters raised in it was transmitted to the officer commanding the
U.S. Army unit referred to for his information and such action as is
necessary and appropriate under the circumstances.
Accept [etc.]
[File copy not signed]
