740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–446: Telegram
Mr. Donald Heath, Counselor of Mission in the Office of the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy), to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—7:40 a.m.]
2795. French position on Saar regarding bi-zonal agreements on inter-zonal exchange of publications and correspondence in Germany.
[Page 649]The Chargé de Mission and Chief of the Division of Information in the French Zone of Occupation, November 15, notified Director Information Control of Germany as follows:
“In fulfillment of the agreement reached by us relative to French-United States zonal exchange of newspapers, periodicals, books and other publications, and in furtherance of our verbal commitments, I have the honor to inform you that due to the special administrative situation obtaining in the Saar, the working out of our agreement should not infringe upon the peculiar responsibilities of the French administrator of the Saar about which I spoke to you.
“It remains, then, agreed between ourselves that this important functionary is not bound by our own stipulation, it being nevertheless understood that instructions will be given him that at least one permanent correspondent of a licensed agency in the United States zone may carry on his normal activities in the Saar.”
United States Information Control authorities inform us French position insist Saar under separate administration with even French newspapers from French zone Germany being kept out of Saar. Agreement reached between United States and French authorities contained no reference to Saar by specific mention.
Our understanding is that while certain statements were made by the Secretary of State at Stuttgart reference Saar, no final peace settlement exists and therefore arrangements entered into on bi-zonal basis in Germany between United States and French regarding interzonal exchange of publications and correspondents would presently apply to Saar. Unrecognizing French claim to special position for Saar at this time. Department’s view[s] are requested.12
- The Department’s reply, contained in telegram 2412, December 6, 8 p.m., to Berlin, reads as follows: “Dept considers unilateral French action in Saar before definitive quadripartite agreement on all problems involving French acquisition most unwise and a regrettable precedent. You should discuss with General Clay whether upon appropriate occasion it might be well so to inform French adding that their independent procedures may embarrass us in support of their claims in future quadripartite negotiations.” (740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–446)↩