740.00119 FEAC/10–2245: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2205. The penultimate paragraph referring to the Proposed Allied Military Council in our telegram 2198 of October 20 was communicated to the Supreme Commander, who has raised certain objections arising in part through misunderstanding of our proposals and in part through our failure to spell out details. In general they relate to his doubts as to his complete authority under the proposals and to his fear that representatives on the Council might raise economic, financial, or political matters on a Government level which should be discussed and settled elsewhere.
We are endeavoring to resolve these matters with the Supreme Commander.
You should not, therefore, discuss the proposed Allied Military Council as such or give the impression that decisions have been reached here which we might not in fact be able to reach. You can say, however, that I am endeavoring to find a solution which will meet the Soviet position which will deal with the implementation of policy under the direction of the Supreme Commander and that this might be done through the creation of some new council or through some change in the Advisory Commission. In short, I am endeavoring to work out a greater participation by the major Governments in the occupation.
You may say that I hope very soon to begin discussions of this matter through informal bilateral talks.
For your information I am taking this whole matter up urgently through the War Department and will keep you advised.