740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–646: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 7—2 a.m.]
2568. My telegrams 2503, October 30 and 2514, October 31. Eighty-seventh Coordinating Committee meeting held November 4 included further discussion of Soviet removal of German workers.
Soviet member was evidently reluctant to discuss matter further. British member emphasized it could not be regarded as settled until three questions raised by US member at last meeting were answered and that British felt this particularly important in case of removals from Berlin, a quadripartite city. Soviet member stated desired information could be produced in due time but he would first require similar explanations from US and British delegations regarding their removal of German scientists which had been going on ever since war’s end, adding that no evidence has come to his attention of use of force by Soviets in their recent recruitment of workers.
Both British and US members stated categorically that no Germans had been removed by force under their jurisdiction and none would be so removed in future. US member continued that his Government does not believe in use of force to remove labor, that he had hoped that Soviet member would state same but latter had evidently not quite done so. US also regarded any unilateral removal of workers from Berlin as violation of city’s quadripartite status. Furthermore world labor organizations would certainly look with apprehension on any forced labor removals.
While US ready to answer any specific Soviet inquiries there was only one question of importance, namely was force being used or not? As Soviets evidently refused to answer this question he would have to submit entire question to his Government including available evidence.
British member continued to press for Soviet statement as to alleged use of force. After some further discussion in which US member emphasized great importance of quadripartite agreement on this basic question it was finally agreed that Coordinating Committee should go on record as opposed to use of force in recruiting of German labor for use abroad. After renewed inquiries Soviet member also stated his administration had not violated this principle. French member urged that Manpower Directorate should be instructed to draft uniform rules for future use but US member stressed urgency of reaching an agreement on principle which could settle question here and now [Page 747] Soviet member pointed out that question was complicated by utilization of war prisoners for which reason French proposal seemed best. It was finally agreed that next Coordinating Committee [meeting] scheduled for November 9 should approve public statement of quadripartite policy as indicated above.
Thus though question of evident use of force or intimidation by Soviets in many of individual deportations which have taken place in last fortnight was settled only by reluctant and not very convincing Soviet denial it is hoped that public statement of future policy which should be reached at next meeting may be of considerable value.6
Sent Department as 2568; repeated Moscow as 364 and London as 372.
- No agreement was reached on the issuance of a statement at the 88th Coordinating Committee meeting, November 9, as reported to the Department in telegram 2596, November 10, from Berlin (740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–1046).↩