Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

800.4016 DP/7–2546: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Political Adviser for Austria (Erhardt)

secret
us urgent
niact

Washington, July 25, 1946—6 p.m.

691. I should appreciate it if following personal message from me is transmitted to Gen Clark prior to AC meeting July 26:

My discussion of Austrian treaty with Molotov³⁴ in CFM July 12³⁵ and receipt of your report P–1164 July 13³⁶ and AusPolAd’s 948 July 11³⁷ have impressed me with necessity of proposing in AC a constructive move designed to solve the two questions of denazification and displaced persons. Soviet attitude expressed in AC meeting July 12³⁸ fully corresponds with Molotov’s statement in CFM in refusing to submit draft treaty to deputies. He charged that 437,000 “Fascist alien displaced persons” now in Western zone made consideration of treaty impossible and presented security threat to neighboring states. He also charged Nazi laws are still in force in Austria.

I made clear in CFM and reiterated in speech July 15³⁹ US position on DPs, stating that we cannot agree to any action concerning repatriation which conflicts in any way with agreed Allied policy and which fails to distinguish among DPs those categories which supported Allied objectives or were victims of Nazi persecution. Likewise, I consider that we should not agree to forceful repatriation of any Germans resident in Austria prior to Anschluss, as stated in your directive. I approve, therefore, your action in AC July 12 in withdrawing resolution on DPs and proposing alternative resolution on denazification. Any solution reached for these two problems should not reflect on work of AC or be used as political weapon by any occupying power against Austrian Govt.

I am informed that Brit member will introduce resolution July 26 calling for AC report on denazification to CFM. Brit FonOff, however, is not convinced that AC can issue an agreed report. In that event, Brit member will propose that majority and minority reports be submitted to CFM. In my estimation, failure of AC to agree to unified report would only serve to delay consideration of Austrian Treaty and would be most undesirable.

In view of difficulties encountered in submitting Austrian treaty, and of objective of completing the liberation of Austria at earliest possible time, I recommend that you introduce into the AC resolutions on the following two items:

1. That a committee be appointed to investigate the progress already made in the denazification of Austria and to recommend what further steps may be required or may be desirable in order to fulfill Allied objectives and to meet the current criticism by the Soviet member of AC and the Soviet Foreign Minister. Such a committee should examine the laws passed by the Austrian Govt as well as analyze the difficulties encountered by the Austrian Govt in carrying out the denazification program. I agree with your statement of policy in the AC July 12 that categories in which alleged Nazis have important positions should be listed and instructions issued to the Austrian Govt to remove them progressively from their positions. Such action would not provide any occupying power with political capital and would be of material assistance to the Austrian Govt. If Brit resolution is consistent with foregoing, you may in your discretion support that rather than introduce a separate US proposal.

2. A committee should also be appointed to investigate the displaced persons problem and to report on the number and general categories of displaced persons in each zone. This committee should likewise recommend realistic steps which can be taken towards repatriation.

After completion of their work, these two committees could submit reports to the AC which in turn would be forwarded to the CFM in order that the Austrian treaty may be discussed at our forthcoming meeting following the peace conference.

In view of the difficulties already encountered in the quadripartite machinery dealing with denazification and displaced persons, I suggest that these two committees be appointed to operate outside the existing quadripartite machinery, although no objection is seen to using AC personnel. The committees should consist of one representative from each of the occupying powers. Furthermore, in order to assist the Austrian Govt in every way, I recommend that the Austrian Govt be associated in both inquiries, leaving to your discretion whether or not you propose that an Austrian member be added to the four-power committee or other provisions made for the cooperation of the Austrian Govt. You should base your proposal for the association of the Austrian Govt on the aims of Article 3 of the new Control Machinery Agreement.

In addition to the measures proposed in the foregoing recommendations, I wish to call to your attention the fact that the full expression of US policy with regard to all categories of refugees and DPs was presented at the London meeting of the executive committee of IGC. A resolution to expand IGC activity to cover emigration and resettlement was adopted July 16. The details of this plan have already been transmitted to you. I realize magnitude of displaced persons question in Austria and fear that any measures which may be taken by AC can not solve this complex problem to the satisfaction of all occupying powers. Therefore, I am considering possibility of requesting IGC to send a commission to Austria to supplement measures taken by AC by formulating exact resettlement scheme. Likewise, I shall recommend to other powers that arrangements be made to give priority to removal of displaced persons from Austria over removal from Germany (AusPolAd’s 1018 July 22).⁴⁰ I shall also call to the attention of the ACC, Berlin, the large numbers of Sudeten Germans and other Volksdeutsche who are now present in Austria, and recommend that steps be taken to absorb Sudeten population under terms of ACC decision of Nov 20, 1945.⁴¹

I wish to express to you my complete approval for your work in the AC not only on these two troublesome questions but in our whole policy for the attainment of Austrian independence.

Byrnes

34. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
35. See volume ii.
36. In this telegram, not printed, General Clark reported on the Allied Council meeting of July 12.
37. This telegram was undated and was received in Washington on July 6. It contained Gruber’s report to the Austrian Parliament regarding the South Tyrol issue and press comments on internal Austrian problems, (863.9111 RR/7–646)
38. The minutes of the meeting of the Allied Council are filed under ALCO/M (46)26.
39. For text of Secretary Byrnes’ speech, see New York Times, July 16, 1946.
40. Not printed; in this telegram, Mr. Erhardt gave some estimates of the number of unrepatriable DP’s in Austria and recommended “that arrangements with other powers be initiated to give priority to removal of displaced persons from Aus over removal from Germany where occupation will continue in any case”. (800.4016 DP/7–2246)
41. See telegram 1066, November 21, 1945, from Berlin, Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. iii, p. 852.